PIONEER
CAMP & RETREAT CENTER
Pioneer Camp & Retreat Center is a year round Christian Camp and Retreat Center located in Western New York that rests upon 75 acres of lakefront property that includes our very own beach along beautiful Lake Erie in Angola, NY. From Conferences to Corporate Retreats, Summer Camps to Church Picnics, Weddings to Reunions, and Overnights to Vacations, Pioneer is the ideal setting for your next getaway. Give us a call today at 716-549-1420 to learn how we can help you customize an event to your specific needs. Discover why Pioneer is truly "a warm place in the SON..."
WE LOVE PIONEER. YOU LOVE PIONEER. LET'S STAY CONNECTED.
MEET PIONEER
Serving the community year round...
Pioneer Camp & Retreat Center is a year round Christian Camp and Conference Center located in Western New York that rests upon 75 acres of lakefront property that includes our very own beach along beautiful Lake Erie. From Conferences to Corporate Retreats, Summer Camps to Church Picnics, Weddings to Reunions, and Overnights to Vacations, Pioneer is the ideal setting for your next getaway. Give us a call today at 716-549-1420 to learn how we can help you customize an event to your specific needs. Discover why Pioneer is truly "a warm place in the SON..."
PIONEER CAMP & RETREAT CENTER, INC.
1945-2012: Celebrating 67 Years of Mission and Ministry
9324 Lake Shore Road * Angola, NY 14006
(Phone) 716-549-1420 * (Fax) 716-549-6018
www.pioneercamp.org * info_pioneercamp.org
Pioneer Camp & Retreat Center offers multifacted programs and lakefront facilities for rent to the community in a Christian setting. What should that mean to you? Simply put, that whether you're part of a Church or a Youth Group, a Business or a Public School, SERVING YOU is what we're committed to. What it means is that we take to heart what we read in 1 Peter 4:10 that says "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms" and strive to demonstrate that on a moment-by-moment basis throughout the duration of your stay here at Pioneer.
Retreat Rate Sheet 2011.pdf
Pioneer Camp & Retreat Center offers you a time away from the normal routine of daily life and an opportunity to relax. Most importantly, we offer you the opportunity to break down barriers, to experience new things, and to reflect on your life and lifestyle all within a picturesque landscape of God's creation. Your time at Pioneer will be a complete contrast to the familiar. Expectations, labels, the mindless mundane, stereotypes and the influences of colleagues, co-workers, family, friends, and the media are all left behind in favor of a special temporary community with a focused purpose -- presenting Jesus Christ and nurturing those in the faith toward maturity and Christian leadership.
OUR FACILITIES
Pioneer Camp & Retreat Center is the place to eat and play, to relax and rest. We offer a safe, joy-filled outdoor experience with ample facilities to meet the need of your family or group. Enjoy the splendor of the outdoors with the comforts of home. From the rustic Camp Bunkhouses of Schroeter Circle, to the luxury of a Woodland Cottage, to the unique setting of Hickman Hall for your conference or seminar, our accommodations can meet your specific needs (and budget). After a fun-filled day, a good night sleep, please join us in the Dining Halls or a gathering place of your choice for a hearty breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner. When you're looking for a quick snack to hold you over until meal time, or would like to purchase some Pioneer gear to wear to commemorate your visit, you can do both at our Country Store. For more information regarding the various facilities that are available to you year round, please click the 'Our Facilities' button to the right.
OUR HISTORY
Proverbs 16:9 "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
Pioneer Camp & Retreat Center is "a warm place in the SON..." given its Christian heritage and since it is located on a one quarter mile piece of breathtaking lakefront property on Lake Erie in Angola, New York with an additional 75 acres that includes activities, cabins, cottages, a country store, dining facilities, picnic areas, and woodlands for your enjoyment of God's marvelous creation regardless of the season.
The WNY Lutheran Laymen's League (LLL) established Pioneer in 1945. The Lutheran Church Missouri-Synod / Eastern District (representing nearly 150 member congregations across the western half of New York, all of Pennsylvania, and part of Maryland) eventually purchased Pioneer from the LLL. Incorporated in 1991, Pioneer Camp & Retreat Center, Inc. continues to provide the same quality recreational and educational opportunities in a Christian setting to residents throughout the region.
Since 1945, Pioneer Camp & Retreat Center has provided summer resident camping programs to children, teens, adults, families, and seniors. Diverse programs for children 6-12, teens 13-17, and whole families impact not only an individual's own life, but also their relationships with others.
In 1976, Pioneer became a year round facility and began offering various outdoor education programs for schools and a successful program for developmentally disabled children and adults in addition to the existing summer programs. Winterized facilities were added along with retreat facilities that offer a unique venue for conferences, banquets, buffets, luncheons, dinners, events, seminars, and workshops.
Today, Pioneer serves over 10,000 people each year by providing Christian community experiences for people of all ages and from all walks of life, which includes children, teens, students, adults, seniors, families, business professionals, church groups, and organizations.
It is a place where your body, mind, and soul will experience education, encouragement, inspiration, reflection, relaxation, restoration, and service.
Truly "a warm place in the SON..."
OUR COMMITMENT
Ephesians 6:7-8 "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does whether he is slave or free."
OUR VISION
To show the face of Jesus to all -- by words and actions -- amidst the splendor of God's creation.
OUR MISSION
To offer a safe, joy-filled outdoor experience where lives are renewed and strengthened in Christ.
OUR CORE VALUES
A Camp and Retreat Center is a powerful tool for ministry and leadership development because it closely follows a pattern of ministry used by our Lord. We embrace 6 Core Values consistent with His ministry. At Pioneer, we value...
1. Experiencing a Christ-centered community
2. Ministering to the whole person
3. Building relationships with God, congregations, and others
4. Making memories and major life commitments
5. Developing leaders for today and tomorrow
6. Strengthening family bonds
OUR TARGETS
Pioneer Camp & Retreat Center is not just a Summer Camp for kids. All are welcome! In this place gathered, we are children, teens, adults, seniors, developmentally disabled, single, married. Currently, we have prioritized the following ministry targets...
1. Families
2. Youths/Teens
3. Christian Groups/Retreats
OUR OBJECTIVES
To provide camp and retreat ministries to develop people of purpose in Christ. In line with that purpose, we strive for people who visit Pioneer to...
-- feel welcomed, built up, and nurtured in the Christian faith
-- experience Christ's love shown through the service of our Staff
-- learn of God's direction for their lives as followers of Christ
-- learn how to give to others what has been given to them in the Gospel
-- rejoice in the creative wonders of our God
-- find facilities that are clean, well maintained, accessible and appropriate
-- leave wanting to come back!
1 Peter 4:10 "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."
OUR STAFF
At Pioneer Camp & Retreat Center, we have a generous mix of Part-Time Staff and Volunteers in addition to a Full-Time Staff that help make Pioneer what it is today. However, our team is not viewed as mere employees of an organization, but as essential components to a living ministry. Next time you pay a visit to Pioneer please make sure you stop to say "Hello!" to...
REV. ALEX KNOWLES - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Phone: 716.549.1420 ext 21
alex.knowles_pioneercamp.org
LINDA GAGE - DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Phone: 716.549.1420 ext 15
linda.gage_pioneercamp.org
RYAN GAGE - FOOD SERVICE DIRECTOR
Phone: 716.549.1420
ryan.gage_pioneercamp.org
MIKE KINSELLA - FACILITIES DIRECTOR
Phone: 716.549.1420 / Cell: 716.597.9156
info_pioneercamp.org
SHEILA MATTHEWS - CUSTOMER CARE COORDINATOR
Phone: 716.549.1420 ext 10
sheila.matthews_pioneercamp.org
JEFF RADT - DIRECTOR OF RETREAT SERVICES
Phone: 716.549.1420 ext 12 / Cell: 716.949.7310
jeff.radt_pioneercamp.org
LINDSEY RICE - ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Phone: 716.549.1420 ext 14
lindsey.rice_pioneercamp.org
LEAH SALLACH - PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Phone: 716.549.1420 ext 16
leah.sallach_pioneercamp.org
CHRIS WADDY - PROGRAM ASSOCIATE
Phone: 716.549.1420 ext 18
chris.waddy_pioneercamp.org
JOHN WREGE - FINANCE DIRECTOR
Phone: 716.549.1420 ext 11
john.wrege_pioneercamp.org
Pioneer Camp & Retreat Center is the perfect place to meet and greet, to rest and relax, to play and eat, and/or to sleep and stay. We offer a safe, joy-filled outdoor experience with ample facilities to meet the specific needs of your family or group.
Enjoy the splendor of the outdoors with the comforts of home. From the scenic view of Lake Erie from Hickman Hall, to the rustic Camp Bunkhouses of Schroeter Circle, to the luxury of a Woodland Cottage, our accommodations can meet your unique needs and budget. After a good night's sleep, join us for breakfast in the Pohlman or Schultz Dining Halls, and then make your way to one of our several gathering places for a day of fun filled with a variety of activities. Please click each picture below to take a closer look at our Dining , Meeting , Recreational , and Sleeping areas available to you at Pioneer...
Camp Map 2011 2012.pdf
facilities brochure.pdf
CONTACT US
Directions To Camp.pdf
WHY CHOOSE PIONEER ?
Color Brochure.pdf
Why should you choose Pioneer Camp & Retreat Center for your next Activity, Camp, Conference, Event, Retreat, Seminar, or Vacation? Well, there are many great reasons why! Here are the best of the best...
SUMMER...
YEAR ROUND...
- Camping Facilities (Winterized)
- Retreat/Conference Facilities (Winterized)
- Corporate Conferences/Seminars/Workshops
- Family Vacations/Retreats
- Youth/Teen Programs/Retreats
- Events for Families/Groups
- Leadership Retreats
- Outdoor Education
- Teambuilding Getaways
- Intergenerational Activities
- Service/Volunteer Opportunities
- Professional Staff Available
Week/Weekend Camps For All Ages:
Intergenerational opportunities for children and families including those who have developmental disabilities.
Servant Events For Families/Teens
Picnics For Businesses/Church Congregations/Families/Groups
Activities:
- Bible Study/Devotions - Challenge Course - Swimming
- Water Sports - Basketball - Camp Fires
- Beach - Tennis - Archery
- Paddle Boating - Golf - Canoeing
FACILITIES...
NURTURED THROUGH...
Overnight Accommodations And Assembly/Meeting Halls:
We offer a variety of facility sizes that are available for rent that can comfortably accommodate anywhere from 10-250 people.
Dining Facilities:
Main Dining Halls seat up to 200 people. Food service areas are also available in any of our Assembly/Meeting Halls.
Recreation:
- 1/4 Mile Beachfront on Lake Erie - Adjacent Golf Course
- Outdoor Challenge Course - Athletic Field
- Team Ropes Course - Softball Diamond
- Basketball Court - Hiking Trails
- Volleyball Court - Game Room
- Tennis Courts (Lighted)
- Shuffleboard
- Bible Study/Worship
- Christian Fellowship
- Outdoor Setting
- Rest/Relaxation
- Team-Building Activities
- Challenge Course Inititatives
- Educational Instruction
- Leadership Training
- Relationship Building
- Breaking from our daily routine
- Caring Staff
NEWS AND NOTES...
PIONEER PROMOTIONS...
Praise the Lord! As you can see, we've launched our new website! Tell your family, tell your friends, tell your church, tell your youth group, and by all means, send us a quick email right away at info_pioneercamp.org to let us know what you think. Thanks to everyone who contributed with their feedback to help make this possible and thank you to all of you for your patience and support during the long design and development process.
Summer Camp registrations are underway! Please call us at 716-549-1420 if you have any questions.
Winter Retreat Promo.pdf
Get one for only $10 (a savings of $2) if you pre-order today!
COMING SOON...
FEBRUARY 11TH: Let it snow! Bundle up your family or youth group and join us at Pioneer for Winter Family Fun Day and a little winter fun! On Saturday, January 21st, 2011, come and go as you please from 1pm-4pm during our Winter Family Fun Day! Activities Include: Arts/Crafts; Devotion Time; Ice Skating (Bring Your Own Skates); Snacks; Snow Castle Building; Snowman Building; Snowshoeing; and so much more! A suggested donation of $5.00 per family or $25.00 per youth group. Please call for more information or to register.
MARCH 31ST: Pioneer's Agape Easter is a day program to celebrate spring and the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. It offers Bible study, arts/crafts, games, snacks and more!
APRIL 13TH-14TH: Join Pioneer for Youth Leaders Training . Whether you are a professionalYouth Pastor, DCE, Family Life Minister, or a lay Youth Leader, this is a program for you. Come be refreshed, renewed, encouraged, and inspired as you continue to serve! Weekend and Saturday Only options available.
