Activities

At this time, we offer accessible fishing, camping, picnicking, nature study and boating. Our accessible hunting program is under development and will offer deer, turkey, duck, goose, and dove hunting. All activities are supervised by a dedicated corps of volunteers. Services are provided at no cost to the participants and their friends, family and caregivers, who are encouraged to share these experiences.

Fishing

Casting your lure is easy from the wheelcahir accessible fishing piers located on each of our two lakes, which contain healthy populations of Large Mouth Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Red Ear, and Channel Catfish. We ask that you return any bass over 12 inches in length to insure future catches.

Marj-El Lake is about five acres in size and 1/4 mile long.  The 12' x 20' accessible and roofed fishing pier accommodates up to five for fishing while another seven or so may observe seated.

Bruce's Lake is about 14 acres and 1/2 mile long.  You may fish from our floating dock or from our accessible 17' fishing boat, which holds two to three campers in wheelchairs, or from our 24 foot pontoon boat. The lake is ½ mile long, providing over one mile of shoreline fishing.

Due to an arrangement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, you are not required to possess an Illinois fishing license to fish at our camp.

We have plenty of rods, reels, tackle, cane poles, dip nets, and fish baskets. You should bring live bait in the form of red worms, wax worms, night crawlers, or crickets. Cheese bait is recommended for the channel catfish. If you like, we can secure the bait for you with prior notice.

Boating

Campers can enjoy a ride on our accessible fishing boat, pontoon or jon boat!

Picnicking

The Marj-El Lake pier is located on flat ground adjacent to our 24' square roofed pavilion on a concrete slab which features two large wheelchair accessible picnic tables that can accommodate ambulatory and non-ambulatory campers, a propane gas grill, and shelter from the elements.  These two structures are connected by a wheelchair accessible trail-way.

Camping

Accessible camping is available by platform tent or cabin, each offering its own unique expereince.

The 12' X 16' accessible cabin, complete with woodstove, with attached wheelchair ramp and 6' wide wrap-around porch, part of which is screened and fairly bug free. The cabin is powered by a charged bank of batteries which provide 110 volts to outlets. This system is intended to support low amperage appliances such as fans, radios, and lights. The system is not designed for heavy loads. A battery charger will allow you to re-charge batteries at the camp. T

here is a battery operated oscilating fan in the cabin and tent.

Wildlife

Just some of the animals that can be seen include white-tailed deer, turkey, ducks, geese, dove, quail, heron, egrets, bluebird, raccoons and chipmunk.

Other Activities

• Special Olympics regulation sized bocce ball court
• Bean Bag Toss
  
• Kite flying
• Arts and crafts
• Nature study and watching (binoculars, telescopes, spotting scopes)
• Fossil Hunting

Coming Soon!

• Underwater video cameras for viewing fish and other aquatic life

Please note

The camp personnel reserves the right to ask visitors to depart early if guests are disrespetful, problematic or damage property. Generally speaking, common courtesy and respect of others and the property will ensure your stay at the camp.