Retreats & Rentals

COVID-19 Update

Hello again to all of our retreat groups and guests!  I am happy to say that as I write this update, I can hear the laughter of our summer campers outside my office window, SAFELY enjoying the property and facilities as we prayed they’d be able to.  This has given us great insight and experience into how we can safely operate to fulfill the commitments we’ve made to you- our retreat guests.

While retreats this Fall may look different then they have in the past, this could be one of the most meaningful times groups have together, rebuilding community and bonding together in ways we haven’t been able to for months.

Our prayer is that by the time we begin hosting retreats at the end of August, things may be relatively close to normal.  However, we are fully prepared and able to facilitate retreats within the current guidelines set out by the county and CDC officials.

Some of the things we will be doing if the restrictions are the same at the time of your retreat:

  • Allow for overnight guests to spread out even more within their overnight buildings, ensuring 6 feet apart between sleeping spaces.
  • Provide forehead thermometers to group leaders so guests can be scanned upon arrival for retreats.
  • Spreading out dining shifts and potentially offering picnic style meals for those that wish to eat outdoors.
  • Offering the Pavilion or Gym (with garage doors open) for outdoor meeting spaces for groups that do not want to meet indoors, especially if masks are still required.
  • Requiring our own staff to wear masks, anytime they are interacting with guests.
  • Provide each group with sanitizing supplies to ensure cleanliness among themselves in their personal spaces such as overnight rooms and meeting rooms.
  • Have continual cleaning of shared spaces cleaned and sanitized constantly throughout the day.

I will be contacting each of our upcoming group leaders to review what their retreat weekend would look like based on the current conditions and together we can make a plan that will be the best for you.  We also continue to take new bookings, so if you don’t currently have a retreat with us booked but have a few questions, please feel free to give me a call at 410-798-0455, or email me at bholm@campwabanna.org and I’ll be happy to talk with you.

Thank you for your continued support of Wabanna- we hope to be able to serve you well this Fall.

Sincerely,

Beth Holm

Thank you for considering Camp Wabanna for your next event! Our goal is to provide a beautiful, comfortable and convenient place for you to host your retreat. Please read the following information to learn a little bit more about Camp Wabanna.

Camp Wabanna can be reserved for church, school, or organizational events. For weekend rentals we have a one night, three meal minimum stay, and groups must have at least 20 guests or more. During the week, we offer a wider variety of options; anywhere from a half day’s stay to the entire week, with a 20 guest minimum.

Wabanna can sleep up to 232 guests total in four different overnight spaces. To reserve the property exclusively, groups must guarantee a minimum of 100 guests. Please read about the overnight buildings below to learn more about our overnight accommodations:

Overnight Accommodations

W.A. Emmans Lodge

  • Sleeps up to 56 guests
  • 1 – 4 single beds per room
  • 21 uniquely designed rooms
  • 2nd story overnight space
  • 1 shower for every 5 – 6 guests
  • Heat & A/C
  • Built in 1941- historical charm abounds!

The Owen Farmhouse

  • Sleeps up to 48 guests
  • 2 bunk beds per room/4 beds total
  • 6 rooms on 1st floor, 6 rooms on 2nd floor
  • 2 shower & bathrooms on each floor
  • 1 shower for 12 guests
  • Heat & A/C
  • Cozy living room on each floor
  • Large back deck & 2nd story balcony
  • Built in 2014

The West & The Rhode Dorms

  • Sleeps up to 64 guests
  • 7 bunk beds per room/ 14 beds total
  • 4 rooms: A & B on 1st floor, C & D on 2nd
  • Partially private chaperone room attached
  • Connected shower & bathroom in each room
  • 1 shower for 14 guests
  • Heat & A/C
  • Large front and back porch
  • Built in 2001

Overnight Retreat Information

  • Linens are not provided, so guests will want to bring their own pillows, bedding & towels.  A  “What to Pack” sheet will be sent to the group upon booking.
  • Each group will be assigned the number of rooms needed to accommodate their final guest count, with an additional 10% more beds for rooming flexibility.
  • For youth groups (under 18 years of age) we require chaperones to stay in the overnight spaces with the group.  Each building varies, and is as follows:
    • The Dorms:  1 adult in each room being used
    • The Farmhouse:  2 adults on each floor being used
    • The Lodge:  1 -2 adults on each wing being used

Meeting Spaces

Included in our price is one meeting space. Meeting spaces are assigned based on group size and the group’s preferences. Additional meeting spaces may be rented for break out spaces if not being used by another group as their primary meeting space. Those additional spaces can be reserved 3 weeks prior to the retreat, as at that point additional bookings are unlikely. Please see the Meeting Spaces below to learn more about them:

The Chapel

  • Can accommodate up to 215 guests
  • Located in the Emmans Lodge
  • Comprehensive lighting and sound booth
  • Customizable digital, user-friendly sound board
  • Independent stage lighting
  • Synchronized 72″ dual monitors
  • Wireless microphones & in-stage musical outputs
  • Upright Piano
  • Wi-Fi Access
  • Flexible seating arrangements with padded chairs & 10’ tables
  • Adjacent to 2 independent, comfortable breakout spaces

The Rec Hall

  • Can accommodate up to 100 guests
  • Located near the Gym
  • Sound system w/ 2 microphones
  • Flat Screen Monitor/TV
  • Padded chairs & two 8’ tables
  • Game area located in back

The West & The Rhode Meeting Rooms

  • Can accommodate up to 50 guests
  • Located next to each Dorm
  • TV with VCR & DVD Player
  • Padded chairs and ten 6’ tables
  • Vaulted ceilings for great acoustics
 

Additional Spaces

 

The Sitting Room

The Sitting Room connects the Lobby to the Chapel, and is often used as a small break-out space for groups meeting in the Chapel. Comfortably furnished with couches, chairs, and a library full of books, this room makes a nice gathering spot before and after meetings and sessions.

The Sun Garden Room

The Sun Garden Room is connected to the other end of the Chapel (opposite the Sitting Room). This sun-filled space looks out at the Bay and has a variety of couches, chairs, tables and a desk which can be used for a second breakout room for those meeting in the Chapel, or as a fun space for kids and snacks. With a vintage garden porch feel, this space offers a quick route to the outdoors for a look at the water, or a quick game of Gaga Ball and Corn Hole which are located immediately outside.

The Lodge Lobby

Follow the main path to the green awning, and you will enter the double doors into the Lodge Lobby. This is the central foyer of the Emmans Lodge that connects the upstairs sleeping quarters to the down stairs Dining Hall on one end, and the Sitting Room, Chapel & Sun Garden room on the other end. If groups are staying in the upstairs of the Lodge, this is a great space to use for guest registration for its central location, and the large desk available for groups to use.

The Pavilion

Our brand new Pavilion, which boasts views of the Chesapeake Bay and the Rhode River, is a multi-purpose space on the property. Whether it’s a group meeting and event hosted on the stage, fully equipped with top-of-the-line sound and lighting, or enjoying an evening by the stone fireplace, this space can be enjoyed by a variety of groups. The Pavilion also hosts our “Snack Shop” where groups can grab a cold soda and snack at open-hours during their retreat.

Porches

Whatever meeting space you have, there is always room to spread outside of those walls a bit. For the Chapel, there is the Sun Garden Room & Sitting Room. For the Dorms, there are covered front and back porches that look out at the water. For any group staying in the Owen Farmhouse, the back lower and upper decks are one of the most beautiful porches at camp with views of the Chesapeake Bay & Rhode River. Consider making use of one of these spaces for your smaller, more intimate break-outs.

Pool

The pool is a favorite spot of retreat groups and campers alike. Our retreat groups can reserve the pool during the months of May, August, and September (limited availability). Enjoy this oasis in the middle of our property!

Food Services

At Camp Wabanna, we want groups to be able to relax and focus on the purpose of why they’re here. Therefore we are happy to prepare all meals and offer snack services as well. Our meals are served cafeteria style, with groups sitting 10 – 14 per table. If there are multiple groups here, a section of tables will be reserved for each group so that guests can all sit together.

A dinner bell is rung five minutes prior to the start of each meal, beckoning hungry diners inside. Once seated, your Wabanna Host will go over a few dining hall procedures, pray for our meal, and dismiss tables. This is also a time group leaders can use for announcements if they wish.

Our menus are created each weekend by our Food Service Manager. Any special dietary concerns will need to be submitted one week prior to the event, as that is when our menu planning begins. Separate menu items are not made for individual guests; however with the knowledge of dietary restrictions in mind, full menu modifications can sometimes be made to make a menu that accommodates as many guests as possible. In addition, guests with severe allergies or concerns are permitted to bring in supplementary items to ensure they are getting everything they need. Please see a sample of what a weekend menu would look like:

Sample Friday Dinner:

Lasagna (Vegetarian & Meat options), Parmesan Roasted Broccoli, Breadsticks with Marinara Sauce, Full Salad Bar, Chocolate Brownies, Iced Tea & Coffee Bar

Sample Saturday Breakfast:

Scrambled Eggs, Sausage Links, Seasoned Breakfast Potatoes, Assorted Cereals & Milk, Assorted Yogurts, Assorted Oatmeal & Toppings, Fresh Fruit, Juice, Coffee Bar

Sample Saturday Lunch:

Buffalo Chicken Wraps w/ Assorted Toppings, Broccoli Cheese Soup & Crackers, Waffle Fries, Full Salad Bar, Fresh Fruit & Lemonade

Sample Saturday Dinner:

Baked Swiss Chicken, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Green Beans, Rolls & Butter, Full Salad Bar, Chocolate Chip & Lemon White Chocolate Cookies, Iced Tea & Coffee Bar

Sunday Continental Breakfast:

Cheddar Omelets, Biscuits, Sausage Gravy, Assorted Cereals & Milk, Assorted Yogurts, Assorted Oatmeal & Toppings, Fresh Fruit, Juice, Coffee Bar

Sunday Box Lunch:

Turkey & Provolone Hoagie w/ Condiments, Doritos, Trail Mix, Cookies, Whole Apple, Bottle of Water

In addition to our meals, we also have the opportunity to set up snacks for your group. Our snacks range between setting up a s’mores station at your bonfire, to nacho bars and Buffalo wings. Please see our snack menu below:

SNACK MENU

BEVERAGE MENU

Groups also have the option of bringing in some of their own snacks and drinks. Those snacks and drinks can include any store bought, no-cooking required items. Homemade foods or foods needing to be cooked or prepared are not permitted as there are not adequate spaces for groups to do this. A refrigerator, small sink and microwave are in the Dining Hall and available for groups to use, however they are available for any group on property so please be sure to adequately mark or label any items being stored there.

 

Recreation

Groups that are interested in recreation have a lot to choose from at Camp Wabanna. We have a large gymnasium with an indoor basketball court, floor hockey, dodgeball equipment and a large variety of other sporting equipment. The gym is open to all groups on the property for no additional cost.

Our other cost free activities include two tennis courts, an outdoor basketball court, four tetherball poles, Gaga Ball, Corn Hole, an outdoor volleyball net, a soccer field and a playground.

We also offer many Wabanna staffed activities that are rented during specific times by the hour. Please look through the form below to review your options and the associated costs:

RECREATION SERVICES

Outdoor Spaces

In addition to the overnight accommodations, meeting rooms, food service and recreation, Camp Wabanna is filled with nooks and crannies waiting to be explored and enjoyed. A favorite is the gazebo that overlooks the Bay with comfortable seating for eight. The back “Sea Wall” as it is called looks out at the Bay and can often reveal peaks of the Thomas Point Lighthouse and the most incredible sunrises. The beachfront offers some magnificently colored sunsets, which can be viewed from the sandy shores or on one of the two docks reaching out into the water. The playground is adjacent to a picnic grove perched on a hill above the river and can accommodate up to 60 guests on picnic tables.

We hope that no matter what your purpose in being here, that our staff is able to show your group a higher level of hospitality and care that stems from our relationship with Christ and our desire to reflect his love to all.