Pioneer Camp & Retreat Center

PLEASE NOTE: Operations of Pioneer Camp and Retreat Center have CEASED!

Any previous Music Week participants interesting in joining us for a Virtual Choir? We know that the pandemic has cancelled many things, including the Music Week at Pioneer which was planned for this summer. But we would like to invite anyone who has ever participated in Music Week at Pioneer to sing with us in a virtual Music Week choir which we hope will include singers from throughout the years of Music Week at Pioneer! This Virtual Choir piece will be part of an event b...eing held online in October celebrating the ministry of Pioneer over the past 75 years. Dr. Ralph Schultz (first director of Music Week) and Dr. Ron Blackley (our most recent director) have selected an arrangement of Dear Jesus (arranged by Dr. Schultz for use at Pioneer in 1982) which has been used at different times throughout the years of Music Week. Logistical details are being finalized now, and so we would like to begin assembling our contact list of those who are interested. We would like to ask any former Music Week participants who would like to sing with us to send the following information to the email account we have set up specifically for this event: [email protected] Name Email Address Phone Number Further information about the event will come from this email account. We are still finalizing arrangements which will include professional production costs. We are hoping that some will not mind contributing donations toward those costs, which we currently estimate will be somewhere in the range of about $10 per singer. More details will follow soon from the [email protected] account. We hope this chance to sing together will give us all something to treasure! And please spread the word to anyone you know who has participated in Music Week in any way in the past and would like to sing. Even if you have participated in or helped with Music Week but not in the choir, please consider singing with us! Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised! Psalm 113:2-3 -Susan Knowles

On Saturday, October 3, 2020, friends of Pioneer from across the nation gathered to participate in an exciting and moving virtual online experience of giving thanks to God for all that had transpired during the 75 years of ministry of Pioneer Camp and Retreat Center. The following link will enable you to join in this beautiful celebration of Pioneer's ministry!!! https://vimeo.com/461567328/aa34135ead

Any previous Music Week participants interesting in joining us for a Virtual Choir? We know that the pandemic has cancelled many things, including the Music Week at Pioneer which was planned for this summer. But we would like to invite anyone who has ever participated in Music Week at Pioneer to sing with us in a virtual Music Week choir which we hope will include singers from throughout the years of Music Week at Pioneer! This Virtual Choir piece will be part of an event b...eing held online in October celebrating the ministry of Pioneer over the past 75 years. Dr. Ralph Schultz (first director of Music Week) and Dr. Ron Blackley (our most recent director) have selected an arrangement of Dear Jesus (arranged by Dr. Schultz for use at Pioneer in 1982) which has been used at different times throughout the years of Music Week. Logistical details are being finalized now, and so we would like to begin assembling our contact list of those who are interested. We would like to ask any former Music Week participants who would like to sing with us to send the following information to the email account we have set up specifically for this event: [email protected] Name Email Address Phone Number Further information about the event will come from this email account. We are still finalizing arrangements which will include professional production costs. We are hoping that some will not mind contributing donations toward those costs, which we currently estimate will be somewhere in the range of about $10 per singer. More details will follow soon from the [email protected] account. We hope this chance to sing together will give us all something to treasure! And please spread the word to anyone you know who has participated in Music Week in any way in the past and would like to sing. Even if you have participated in or helped with Music Week but not in the choir, please consider singing with us! Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised! Psalm 113:2-3 -Susan Knowles

Due to the recent additions to the NY State travel advisory, we now have Woodland Cottages and Family court cabins available this weekend, next week and the following weekend. We can take 1 more family group this weekend and 2 over the next week and weekend! Call the office at 716-549-1420 to book.

We are paying close attention to Phase 3 and 4 restrictions since some areas of our business fall under both. Pioneer plans to not only follow all mandatory orders from local and state authorizes, we are also following the best practices recommended and practiced by the NY State Park system. This includes no day visitors or anyone allowed on the property when there are campers on site. This will include any visitors walking along the grounds or trying to picnic. The groun...ds will be closed anytime there are campers on site. Please contact the office if you have any questions. Below is the list of weeks and weekends where we still have room for families to come and stay in the cabins. UPDATE 6/25/2020 Many people have been calling in to ask about Cabin Rentals for the summer so here is some information. Please share this so we can get the options out to everyone and allow as many folks as possible the chance to come out this summer! We are limiting the number of family groups on site to 3 at any time. This allows us to provide each family group a campfire location and the chance to use canoes, Frisbee golf and the grounds while distancing from the other people on site at that time. Here are the weeks and weekends where we still have room for 1 or more family groups to book: July 6 - 1 spots left August 7 - 2 spots left August 9 - 1 spots left August 21 - 2 spots left August 24 - 2 spots left August 28 - 2 spots left August 31 - 3 spots left If you want to come out and stay please give the office a call at 716-549-1420!

UPDATE 6/11/2020 Many people have been calling in to ask about Cabin Rentals for the summer so here is some information. Please share this so we can get the options out to everyone and allow as many folks as possible the chance to come out this summer! We are limiting the number of family groups on site to 3 at any time. This allows us to provide each family group a campfire location and the chance to use canoes, Frisbee golf and the grounds while distancing from the other ...people on site at that time. Here are the weeks and weekends where we still have room for 1 or more family groups to book: July 6 - 1 spots left July 13 - 1 spots left July 27 - 1 spot left July 31 - 3 spots left August 7 - 3 spots left August 9 - 3 spots left August 21 - 2 spots left August 24 - 3 spots left August 28 - 2 spots left August 31 - 3 spots left If you want to come out and stay please give the office a call at 716-549-1420!

Good Morning, Regretfully, the Pioneer Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to cease all operations at Pioneer Camp and Retreat Center and close our doors after Labor Day weekend. The letter that is included after this message was sent to the LCMS Eastern District today. WEDDINGS - Many of you were expecting this news with everything that has been going on with COVID-19 and the restrictions that have been placed on events at this point. I truly wish that we w...Continue reading

Don't forget to register your youth for this awesome retreat. Link for registration: http://www.ultracamp.com/info/sessiondetail.aspx

Few More Hours Until WINTER WONDERLAND!!! Make sure you dress warm! Bring everyone in your family, there is fun for everyone!

TOMORROW IS WINTER WONDERLAND!!! Festive Dressing Up Is Encouraged! There will be food for purchase.... Share with Friends and Family. Check out the event page for more information.

Winter Wonderland is in TWO DAYS! We are getting ready to have a lot of people come celebrate with us. Also, did I mention our famous Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be there. You can take FREE pictures with them for your Christmas card. ... Share with your family and friends.

We can't forget about the iconic sunsets on Lake Erie. Even though the sun has set and #GivingTuesday is almost over, never forget that you have the opportunity to give any day of the year. Consider the future and the impact you could have on Camp Pioneer and all of our amazing programs. Help us grow our ministry and make Pioneer a Warm Place In The Son for everyone. Within in these final hours we would like to say thank you to all of our generous donors today and every da...y. It is because of you that Pioneer still exists, even after 75 years. Come celebrate our 75th Anniversary with us during the new year. Happy #GivingTuesday Here is the donation link: https://www.pioneercamp.org/connect/support-pioneer -OR- Go to our website and click the "Support Us" button on the top of the page.

Christmas is right around the corner! Pioneer has its wishlist ready. Not only can you give a monetary donation, you can also help us with crossing off things on our Pioneer Wishlist. Check it out, if you want to donate something very specific to camp. Youth/Teen campers couldn't paint their counselors without art supplies. Also, many more items found on our donation page. Scroll down all the way to the "Pioneer Wishlist" form.... Also, you could donate to our Youth and Teen Camp program. If you want to give directly to this program, use the "Pick A Passion" form on our donation page and enter "Youth/Teen" in the content box. Happy #GivingTuesday Here is the link: https://www.pioneercamp.org/connect/support-pioneer -OR- Go to our website and click the "Support Us" button on the top of the page.

Who else sings fun camp prayers at home before dinner? If you donated today you could support our wonderful Family Camp program, which is like a mini vacation for many families. Featuring some of our family campers doing the classic Superman Prayer before a meal. If you want to give directly to this program, use the "Pick A Passion" form on our donation page and enter "Family" in the content box.... Happy #GivingTuesday Here is the link: https://www.pioneercamp.org/connect/support-pioneer -OR- Go to our website and click the "Support Us" button on the top of the page.

Have you participated in our Low Ropes Challenge Coarse? With your donation today you could support the Junior Cadette Leadership Challenge (JCLC) program that we host at Pioneer. Junior ROTC members spend their time developing team building, communication, and endurance skills throughout the program. If you want to give directly to this program, use the "Pick A Passion" form on our donation page and enter "JCLC" in the content box.... Happy #GivingTuesday Here is the link: https://www.pioneercamp.org/connect/support-pioneer -OR- Go to our website and click the "Support Us" button on the top of the page.