Programs

Each summer, Goddard Place hosts a popular overnight camping experience for students in grades 7-12. Our youth camps incorporate activities that address current teen issues, and seek to engage young people in developing an understanding and acceptance of themselves and others. Campers can look forward to some good old-fashioned fun, lots of food, a campfire, hiking, fishing, and sleeping in tents! All meals, activities and overnight accommodations are provided completely free of charge to participants.

Each year we invite local families, some struggling to make ends meet, to be our special guests at a Christmas event celebrating the joy of the season. What a privilege it has been to provide holiday help to families in need for over a decade. Christmas Blessings is fully funded by generous donations from the local community. In addition to gifts, food, money and decorations, many also donate their time. We are so thankful for our community volunteers who make this event possible!

In recent years, a partnership with the Dane G. Hansen Foundation has allowed us to provide additional assistance with daily living expenses to these families during the holiday season.

A Goddard Place retreat is both a fun and intense experience that focuses on a particular theme or relevant social issue. We mix serious discussions with engaging activities and traditional camp experiences. Retreats are fully customizable and can last from a few hours to a few days. Goddard Place has recently hosted retreats focusing on grief, autism, marriage and spiritual issues. A popular new program is our "Girls' Night" and "Guys Night Out" for teens. We are always adding new programming and would welcome community input on themes for future retreats.

The Challenge Course at Goddard Place consists of a combination of mental and physical activities requiring groups to work as a team to accomplish established goals. By completing a series of fun and unusual elements, participants learn valuable information about themselves, each other, and the group as a whole.

Since 2017, the course has been enjoyed by many groups and businesses for training purposes. We welcome schools, churches, youth groups and others to continue taking advantage of this opportunity for developing team-building, leadership, communication and trust. As with all programs at Goddard Place, there is no charge for use of the facility by youth organizations, however we do have a suggested donation amount for businesses or other adult groups. Reservations are required and all sessions are led by one of our trained instructors to ensure the safety of all participants.

The challenge course is suitable for ages 12 and up.

Goddard Place is proud to host community events including the Back to School Bash, Halloween Haunted Paths and a variety of family fun days throughout the year. In addition, we often welcome local youth groups and athletic teams for outdoor fun and fellowship. Learn more about our community events here.