Quotes and Testimonials

We just had a family reunion at Pilgrim Heights. It involved 40 people, of those 40, ten were children between the ages of 18 months and 12 years old. We rented Autumn House for the weekend and it will be a weekend all will remember for years to come.

We came from Washington State, Colorado, Kansas, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri and Iowa. It will be one of those reunions that others will try to replicate.

Pilgrim Heights staff and facilities were what made it such a success. The staff was willing to help in anyway they could, answering questions and making suggestions, throughout the 4 months of planning.

On Saturday we rented the large conference room. We had specific ideas of how it was to be set up. Everything we needed was there when we needed it. The staff brought in some comfortable chairs so we could have some conversation groupings set up as well as tables for childrens activities such as crafts and games.

We are an outdoor family, so an evening dinner around a campfire was arranged at one of the large fire circles. The staff also found fresh Iowa corn on the cob for us to have at our cookout. Plus the rest of the cookout food was delicious also, the potato salad was homemade by the cook rather than from a deli and the fruit was fresh rather than frozen.

Because there were so many children that would be sleeping in and an 8am breakfast would be difficult, the director recommended that the breakfast be extended for our group, it ran from 8-10am. We ate with the campers for other meals and this worked out well, it took us back to our days at church camp.

During that weekend not one electronic device was asked for or seen, just sounds of creativity and joy were heard.

Our family would recommend Pilgrim Heights to anyone planning a family reunion.

Thanks to the Pilgrim Heights family for making us a part of their family!

The Elizabeth Ernst Family Centennial Celebration, July 2007

Elizabeth Ernst - Grinnell, Iowa
Jean Ernst Porter - Mission, Kansas
Maryjane Ernst Scharenberg - West Lafayette, Indiana
Stephen Ernst - Detroit, Michigan

Thanks for a great weekend. The kids had a good time & food was great! Hope to see you again next year!

- Larry, Cedar Rapids Jr. Bassmasters

"Just a short note to let you know that we had a great time at camp, my Granddaughter is not very outgoing and she was in the middle of all the activities from the start. I got to see a whole new side of her. Everyone was so kind to her and she is looking forward to going next year. She stated that she made new friends and the staff was funny! Thanks for a wonderful week end."

- Blessing, Bonnie

God gave me another gift this past weekend of being Camp Nurse for Grandparents Camp for 8-11 year olds. (Praise be to the Lord, my "skills" were not needed).

What remarkable things I witnessed. Take the eleven year old whos Grandmother brought her to camp "...to get her to do something besides read... that's all she wants to do and she is so shy" Over the weekend I saw her emerge as an "unofficial leader" of a group of three girls. As they left Sunday her Grandmother said to me, "this camp is magic if it can do that."

Yes, there is something special about Pilgrim Heights. I think it is so full of God's love that even the mosquitoes don't bite as hard or as often. The birds sing sweeter and louder, the breeze is softer and the shade a bit cooler because theyre have been so many prayers and thoughts of God originating among those hills. It is so saturated with love for God, prayers and praise that wonderful things can happen there. I think it is one of God's "special places" in this world.

There is so much about PHRC that I am learning. They have an apple orchard and rasberry and pumpkin patches [owned by the neighbor's the Hindgardner's]. The food they serve is great and they have the best iced-tea in Iowa. Could it have been that my body was hungry and I was thirsty? I know when I left Sunday, I had refreshed and fed my soul. That is the magic and blessing that is Pilgrim Heights.

- Sally Walker, First Congregational, Waterloo

Thank you for allowing us to have our wedding at your beautiful camp. I grew up going to camp a week of every summer and always dreamt of getting married at one.

The transportation of guests with the tractor and trailor was perfect along with everything else that day. Your people were wonderful. The weather was perfect and your location was perfect.

- Thanks, Jen & Heath

Madison and Grama had a GREAT time at camp!!!!

Great staff, Great facility!

- Thanks, Pat

Marilyn

“I had the best time at Pilgrim Heights camp! One week was not enough… I can’t wait to go back next summer.”

- Camper

“We sent our four kids to Pilgrim Heights Camp this summer and all of them reported having a fantastic time. …for them, next summer’s camp can’t come soon enough!”

- Parents of Pilgrim Heights Campers

1. I like to play and meet new people.
2. I like campfires and singing songs at night.
3. I like swimming in the lake.
4. I like the dog that lives there.”

- Camper

“As parents, it brings us great satisfacgtion to have introduced the kids to a program that fosters positive Christian experiences. The memories of camp will be with them a lifetime. Kudos to the volunteers and staff at Pilgrim Heights Retreat Center for putting it all together.”

- Parents of Pilgrim Heights Campers