Maplefest Draws 2,000 to Celebrate Spring

The one-day event celebrates the end of maple syrup season and the coming of Spring," says Jim Steere, the camp's director of development. All who attended were treated to a breakfast of oatmeal pancakes with homemade maple syrup, sausage, hash browns, juice and more.

Maple tours were conducted to demonstrate how camp workers tap approximately 200 trees and then turn the sap into syrup. Other activities included the climbing tower, big swing, crafts, camp tours and helicopter rides. A radio station broadcast live and more than 30 vendors participated.

"This event is designed to welcome people primarily from our surrounding communities to visit our camp and get to know us better," Steere says. It also draws Covenanters as guests or volunteers. One group of 60 came from First Covenant in Rockford.

Maplefest was held for many years at Covenant Harbor before it was discontinued in the 1990's and was brought back in 2004. To learn more about the camp and its programs, visit the camp website at Covenant Harbor.

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