Family Programs

Waycross has a history of offering lively, dynamic family programs.  Every year we host several family and multi-generational programs that are intended to provide a variety of experiences to encourage fellowship, connection to nature, worship, reflection, and rest.  We have single adults, couples, families with children and multi-generational family groups participate in these types of programs.  Families have been recognizing how valuable a Waycross program can be to their lives. From 2009 to 2011, our family camp events have almost doubled in size.  Waycross offers a variety of sleeping accommodations, from our Hotel style Conference Center to rustic cabins.

Family Adventure Week July 21st-26th, 2013

This is our five-day family camp option with a daily adventure planned to engage you in an invigorating outdoor experience.  Each morning, the Waycross staff will offer a 2 to 3 hour adventure option (sometimes two options), such as a paddling trip, hiking on the Tecumseh Trail or other local trails, wall climbing/zip line, trail biking and creek hikes. The pool, the Arts and Crafts Room and other activity areas will be available every day. In the evening, we’ll have family-oriented programs such as campfires, skits and music activities. Enjoy informal worship and music times each day, walk the Labyrinth and enjoy the gift of a supportive camp community. If the planned daily adventure doesn’t appeal to you, then hang out at the pool, on a shady porch, or on the banks of Bear Creek. Make your own adventure, rest or play as you please. Registration forms will be available mid-Feberuary 2013. Click here for the registration form.

Labor Day Weekend Family Camp: August 30th to Sept. 2nd , 2013

Experience summer camp as a family or make time for your own outdoor and personal retreat activities over the long Labor Day Weekend.  The pool is open for swimming. Activity leaders run everything from bikes to archery to canoeing to the climbing wall/zip line.  Evening programs and campfires help keep you laughing and singing.  Special guests have included salsa dance instructors, naturalists and talented music leaders.  Come for the weekend or just stay one night.  We have Conference Center room, camp cabin and family dorm room options for your sleeping comfort.  Registration opens mid-February 2013! Click here for the registration form. 

Watch for 2014 Dates for these completed events for 2013.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day "A day ON!": (With an overnight option)

On Monday January 21st 2013 Waycross will be hosting the first annual Martin Luther King Day On! Our theme for the day will be “Seeing Clearly”. Dr. King saw clearly the need for change and worked very hard to achieve his goals. Come help Waycross and yourself see more clearly! We will be working, indoors, washing the windows around Waycross! Come in the morning and wash windows, stay for lunch and when we finish our work we’ll have a hike and a kid-friendly program for Martin Luther King Day!

We are also offering a reduced room rate of $50 a room plus meal costs for those who want to extend their stay and come down Sunday afternoon and stay Sunday night! Contact the office for more information. This weekend is great for camper aged kids and their families! If you’d like to bring children under 7 please contact Eric at the front office. RSVP or questions to eric@waycrosscenter.org or call us at the office! 1-800-786-2267

Valentine Making Party (with Overnight stay option)

Get out of the house for the day and lean into your creative side. We’ll help you make Valentine cards for friends and family. We open up the craft room, crank up some fun music and have a riot cutting, pasting and tapping with our inner artist (yes, you have one). Weather permitting, we’ll go sledding, hiking or exploring as well. This afternoon of fun is free. Make it an overnight experience if you like. We offer special family rates for those who would like to spend the night and have a campy evening of games and movies in the Main House Lodge. Meal options are available for day visitors as well. Registration is available and can be found here or on our calendar! Contact the front office if you have any questions!

Mushroom Hunting and Spring Fishing Weekend April 2014

During this fun filled weekend you will learn to identify three kinds of trees that "grow mushrooms", you will learn to hunt for, harvest and prepare morels mushrooms (you will also get to eat them!).  There will be prizes for those who find the largest and the smallest morel.  There will also be a fishing derby, a chance to learn fly fishing techniques, and you'll learn to clean your own fish!  Don't forget to bring along your favorite mushroom recipe and fishing story to share with the group! Registration is now available and can be found here or on our calendar. Contact the front office if you have any questions!

Brown County's Spring Wildflower Foray April 2014

This spring marks the 28th Annual Wildflower Foray in Brown County, a weekend filled with all manner of events across the county from hikes and boat trips to classes and informational talks...and Waycross is proud to host several activities this year! On Friday, April 26th, come visit Waycross and help plant native tree seedlings donated from a local nursery (starting @1pm). Later that same day participants will meet at Waycross @ 3:30pm to carpool to a "secret" wildflower valley in nearby Yellowwood State Forest- don't forget to bring your camera! On Saturday, April 27th, Waycross will host Sally Weeks, a dendrologist from Purdue University and author of Shrubs & Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest. Sally will be leading a hike around the Waycross grounds to seek out and identify native shrubs and vines (starting @ 3:30pm). Later that evening,  Waycross will host a catered dinner ($10 per person) and a silent auction, with all proceeds going to help support the Foray. Dinner is @ 6pm, Reservations required @ 812-988-2785 (make checks payable to Friends of T.C. Steele). Later that evening at 7:30pm author Kay Yatskievych will compile wildflower counts across the county while guests enjoy beverages and dessert. Sally Weeks and Jeff Belth (author of Butterflies of Indiana: A Field Guide) will both be present and will have copies of their books for purchase and signing. Sally Weeks will then present the evening program.

Click here for a link to the complete Spring Wildflower Foray schedule!

Mother’s Day Dinner May 2014

A chance to bring the family out for a day of good eating and relaxing in the beauty of spring. Celebrate the Mothers and other maternal mentors in your life by bringing them to the glorious hills of Brown County.  Barb Hamm and our food service staff team enjoy putting on this event that has roots going back to the days when Lenny and Judy Baughman ran Waycross.  We offer two sittings, 11:30-1pm and 1:30-3:30pm.  Spend the rest of the afternoon walking the grounds, sitting on a porch for nap or good conversation or out on the trails to see the fullness of spring. Registration is available here or on our calendar! Call the office if you have any questions or need more information.