Waycross Camp Facilities
Camping at Waycross is an adventure with challenging activities, thoughtful reflection, good food, and comfortable accommodations. Our facilities have been developed and maintained over the years to support our program, the "Waycross Experience," and are accredited by the American Camping Association.
Waycross has 10 great cabins forming a large, sweeping circle in the center of camp. Close enough for community and separated enough for privacy, each cabin has screened windows, five double-deck bunk beds for seven or eight campers and two staff personnel, a center space for cabin gatherings, and a dressing room. They are also heated for year winter use.
Centrally located for the cabins, the modern bath house is equipped with private hot water showers and private dressing areas that serve both the cabins and the pool.
The Lodge is a large, multipurpose building overlooking Lake Kirchhoffer from two levels. There are two living/sleeping areas, boys' and girls' bathrooms with hot shower and dressing area, large meeting area and a fully equipped kitchen. The Lodge supports the summer program as an activities building and as home for Adventure Groups, particularly Canoe Camp, and Hangoutwork'n'stuff.
St. Michael's Chapel at Waycross is large enough for the entire camp to come together for worship and Nightly Gathering. It has an open view of the camp, forest, and creek on all four sides and is air conditioned so it can be used on the hottest days. While chairs are available, campers usually gather together on the carpeted floor for singing, instruction and prayer. The outdoor chapel is nestled along the creek bank with stone altar, wood communion rail and bench seating for the entire camp.
Named in honor of Fr. Tom Dixon, whose vision helped create Waycross, the "Rec Hall" is a large pavilion for registration, meetings, activities, and parties. The staff room connects on the rear of the building.
The Main House contains staff quarters and meeting space. It is currently undergoing a complete renovation and will be ready for occupancy before the 2005 summer camp season. The new sleeping wing houses up to 24 staff members. It also contains the health center and nurse's sleeping quarters.
Completed in the spring of 2004, this large building serves as the camp dining room during the summer and provides meeting space for the arts and crafts program and other camp activities requiring indoor space.
The health center is located in the new sleeping wing with the nurse's quarters adjoining, convenient to campers. Camper prescription medicines are secured there, and the health center is well stocked with first aid supplies. A registered nurse is on staff and many other staff are first aid certified; the camp doctor in Nashville, Ind., is always on call.
The 30'x60' swimming pool is a workhorse of the summer program, used each day by campers and staff. The pool has a large deck and is divided for swimmers and non-swimmers. The depth ranges from 3 to 9 feet.
Named for Bishop Kirchhoffer, the lake is an eight-acre recreational area for swimming, canoeing, and fishing. The beach area has roped off swimming and non-swimming areas and two floating docks.
While craft activities take place all over camp, Waycross has a craft room in the new assembly building housing all the supplies with a kiln and workbench areas for supervised craft experiences.
Waycross has five play and recreation areas for games, sports, and camp activities, including basketball court, volleyball court, softball field, and archery range. The playground area has a slide, firepole, swings, monkey bars, and climbing area.
Waycross has 410 acres of camping and hiking area that is ideal for nature and environmental activities. In addition, much of Waycross joins a little-used portion of Yellowwood State Forest that provides more areas to explore. Established overnight camping and shelter areas are available near camp, and many primitive areas are suitable for low-impact overnight camping.
In addition to our camping facilities, Waycross offers facilities at the conference center for groups of up to 64 and spiritual retreats for up to 14 individuals at the Retreat House. Waycross serves camp, retreat, and conference groups year 'round in addition to our regular summer camping program. Call the Waycross office for details and availability.
The labyrinth is located behind the conference center. It is a 'turf' replica of an ancient labyrinth constructed around 1220 AD in the stone floor of Chartres Cathedral, France. Unlike a maze, the labyrinth has only a single path so there are no tricks to it and no dead ends. The path winds throughout and becomes a metaphor for our own spiritual journey. The Waycross labyrinth was constructed in May 1997 as a gift to Waycross, by volunteers from The Nativity Labyrinth Project.
