Spiritual Emphasis

Summit Lake is the perfect place to find seclusion and freedom from distractions to facilitate building relationships with God and group members.  The lodges are ideally laid out for Kairos and other small- group retreats — separate bedrooms with private bath facilities and a meeting room in each lodge.  For larger groups — multiple lodges and/or cabins are available along with larger meeting rooms.

Ski Retreats

Summit Lake is a short 20-minute drive from Liberty Mountain.  Bag lunches are available to take with you if you want to ski all day.  Or spend part of the day in instructional gatherings and ski between lunch and supper.  The evenings are free for fellowship and study.  Night skiing is also available at Liberty Mountain.

Historical Retreats

The Gettysburg National Park is just 20 minutes from Summit Lake (see also the Manor at Middle Creek which is less than 10 minutes from Gettysburg and can accommodate groups of 20 to 30).  Tour the battlefields and take advantage of the new Visitors’ Center in downtown Gettysburg.  This is a perfect trip for older elementary students and secondary students who are studying U.S. history.

Outdoor Environmental Education

Summit Lake is a treasure trove of possibilities for the study of God’s creation.  The 5-acre lake, a favorite of Canada geese, provides opportunities to study water-related organisms and environment.  The 200-acre wooded campus is home to scores of deer and other wildlife.  Trails through the woods afford your group the chance to walk through pine and hardwood forests that are home to animal life you won’t encounter in the city.

Family-Style Dining

Your students will enjoy family-style dining in our spacious, bright dining hall.  Meals are served around rustic tables.  Each table has a “runner” who picks up a tray of food at the beginning of the meal.  Serving plates and bowls are passed around the table as each guest serves him- or herself.  This is an added educational experience for many students who don’t regularly eat meals sitting at a table with family.  Refills are available on most items.  Homemade bread and desserts are a regular feature of meals at Summit Lake.  Faculty and students have the opportunity to bond over delicious home-cooked meals.