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HoneyRock 75th Anniversary

HoneyRock 75th Anniversary Logo

This year we will celebrate 75 years of God’s faithfulness in sacred spaces, authentic community, wholistic engagement, and spiritual rhythms. In this place apart, generations have been shaped through transformational experiences and formed into whole and effective people. This legacy lives on through students, campers, parents, alumni, and donors, grounded in Psalm 78:
“We will tell the next generation… so the next generation might know.”

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HoneyRock Historic Timeline 1951-2026

A man speaks at a wooden podium outdoors, with an audience seated under trees with an American flag by the side
  • On February 15, 1951, HoneyRock officially became the base for the Northwoods Campus of Wheaton College. Harvey and Dorothy Chrouser worked with many partners to launch the Leadership school at HoneyRock by June 14, 1951.
  • In 1954 the Rock was placed at the entrance to HoneyRock, the bridge was built, and the first camper bath facility was built in response to a polio epidemic that was sweeping the nation.
  • Trips away from HoneyRock from as close as Doe’s Acres to as far away as Lake Superior began.
1951-1955
1956-1960
A group of boys diving into a lake from a wooden dock
  • The late 1950’s saw a building boom at HoneyRock, with the Ed building, Beehive, staff house addition, rifle range, trampoline shelter, fire pump house, , 80 ft section of pier, Hemwalls’, Swansons ’, and Chrousers’ cabins, craft shop, the infirmary, and more were all built.
  • The residential camper fee was $60.00 for two weeks.
  • Miller’s Point was developed as a camp site.
Several people sit in the carriage
  • In the summer of 1962, burros were acquired for campers to ride and in 1965 the horsemanship program kicked off.
  • Several new programs were started in 1962, including the Junior Counselor in Training (JCIT) program, Family Camp, and the doctor’s program.
  • During the winter of 1964, the Wheaton College Band held a retreat at HoneyRock, which eventually turned into Snow Camp. 
1961-1965
1966-1970
A person balances on a log suspended between trees in a forest
  • The Gales Landing Outpost near Lake Superior and the Voyageur Center in camp were built. These provided a trip base in northern Minnesota and additional rooms in camp. 
  • The Vanguard program launched in 1969, with 32 male students doing a three-week wilderness trip for credit prior to the start of their freshman year.
A crowd gathers at an outdoor event celebrating Honey Rock Camp 25th Anniversary
  • The 1973 HoneyRock Advisory Board report was titled “Year of the Kayak” due to the sheer amount of kayak activity at the camp. Eleven kayaks were built to enable the kayaking program to begin.
  • In 1974, the women’s Vanguard program, spearheaded by Carol Morgan, became a reality. The following year, a documentary called “Step Over the Edge” was filmed about the Vanguard program.
  • In 1974, Dr. Harold Harper, chairman of the Education Department, began offering the Outdoor Education program to local Three Lakes children, staffed by education majors at Wheaton College.
1971-1975
1976-1980
A group of hikers with large backpacks smiles in a forest
  • The Wilderness Learning Seminar, a precursor to the Outdoor Adventure Leadership graduate program, led by Ken Kalisch, began in 1977.
  • In 1978, the Virginia Dyrness Chapel, received an addition, which more than doubled the space.
  • In the fall of 1980, Harvey and Dorothy Chrouser retired from HoneyRock after 31 years leading the camp. They were succeeded by Roger and Becky Sandberg.
Children climb through a network of large, suspended white nets indoor
  • In 1981, Wheaton College switched from a quarter system to semesters and removed the summer quarter requirement for students. They also moved HoneyRock out of the oversight of the Physical Education department and made it it’s own entity.
  • All wilderness programs, including Vanguards, Canadians, and Explorers were changed to the name “High Road” in 1982.
  • During this time the overnight sleeping platform was constructed at Beaver Island, and an in-camp obstacle course and zip-line were constructed.
1981-1985
1986-1990

A group of people watch a model rocket launch in a grassy field

  • In 1987, a period of transition for HoneyRock began when David Klopfenstein succeeded Roger Sandburg as director. 
  • The most popular activities at HoneyRock were: #1 waterskiing and horses, #2 blowguns and swimming, and #3 riflery, rocketry, and crafts.
  • The summer of 1988 became known as the “Great Fire Ban” summer because hot, dry weather prevented campfires, 4th of July fireworks, and the beloved Candlelight Service.
A group of young people stand behind a wooden kitchen counter, smiling
  • Summer Leadership School became co-ed in 1991. The Assistant Counselor in Training program becoming co-ed the following year.
  • Glenn Town became HoneyRock’s 4th director in 1992.
  • International participation in HoneyRock included students from Mexico, Japan, Germany, France, Spain, and Australia.
1991-1995
1996-2000
A group of people smiling under a banner reading Welcome Home High Road, You Did It!
  • In 1996, the Chrouser Dining Hall was completed, allowing HoneyRock to host programs year-round.
  • In 1999 the Summer Leadership School was re-vamped, adding six available courses to be taught by five professors.
  • In 2000, Rob Ribbe became the new Director of HoneyRock. 
A group of cyclists with camping gear ride on a forest trail
  • The Nehemiah Project raised $1.5 million for facility and program improvement at HoneyRock. This money was used to build the winterized River Cabins near the Dining Hall, began work on Timber Hollow cabins, and funded the construction of the new Elsen Operations Center Complex.
  • In 2005, freshman High Road was renamed Wheaton Passage and added a Northwoods track to the Wilderness track, so that students who did not want to do a full wilderness experience could benefit from the same rigorous coursework and relationship building at HoneyRock.
2001-2005
2006-2010
Two people walk on an outdoor ropes course
  • In 2006, the Boathouse was moved onto the shore, and in 2007, the Hogan was torn down and replaced with the big-top tent. In total, 17 new Village cabins were constructed. A new girl's bathhouse was also reconstructed in the Village.
  • Intro Camp, a one-week experience for 4th and 5th graders, began in 2006, and Advance Camp, a three-week program for incoming 9th graders, started the following year.
A group of children jumping and smiling
  • After shutting down the raccoon-infested Dyrness Chapel in 2007 and subsequently tearing it down, the new chapel was built in 2013, providing an indoor worship space more intimate than the tent.
  • HoneyRock officially became Wheaton’s Center for Leadership Development in 2015.
  • In 2015, HoneyRock introduced a gap year program called Vanguard, providing high school graduates with vocational prep, discernment, and spiritual Development.
2011-2015
2016-2020
A group of people wearing life vests sit in a large canoe on a lake
  • In 2019, the Four Mile Lake property was donated to HR/Wheaton College, helping to solidify HoneyRock trip routes and campsites for the future.
  • During this period, several parcels of land were acquired, bringing the total HoneyRock/Whetaon College-owned land to over 1,000 acres.
  • HoneyRock introduced its Outdoor and Adventure Leadership graduate program in 2018. This program is run by Professors Rob Ribbe and Muhia Karianjahi.
A group of children wearing life vests waving on a large paddleboard on a lake
  • In 2023, Rob Ribbe became a full-time professor, stepping down as Executive Director. Matt Erickson, a life-long HoneyRock Camper and Wheaton alumni, became the Executive Director of HoneyRock.
  • In 2024, the lower level of White Pine Lodge (formerly called Vanguard Center or OE) was converted to four hotel-style rooms to provide volunteer, guest, and staff housing.
  • 2024-2025 was a very busy construction season. In response to summer program growth, four new log cabins were constructed near the Timber Hollow bathhouse and named the Timber Ridge Cabins.
2021-2025
2026-The Next 75 Years

A group of teenagers clapping and singingAs HoneyRock moves through and beyond its 75th year, we are inspired and motivated to serve the next generation of students and campers. We are praying that God will continue to work through HoneyRock in a powerful way, so that the next generation might know the glorious deeds of the Lord and we echo Harve Chrouser’s sentiment at the end of the first decade, “The Lord has done it.”

A joyful crowd of young people raised arms and smiled

Celebrations

We invite you celebrate with us by heading up North, where it all began, or to Wheaton, where the legacy continues. Whether you come home to the Rock, join us in Wheaton, or both, join us in celebrating “Generations Alive in Christ” this year.

Registration opens April 20, 2026

Share Your Story

Help us tell the next generation of the glorious deeds the Lord has done at and through HoneyRock! We'd love to hear your stories of impact, meaningful moments, or fun memories from your time at HoneyRock. 

Follow the button below to record and upload your video!  

Share Your Story Here
three people holding cameras taking photos in snow

Walk Down Memory Lane

To help celebrate our 75th anniversary, we’ve done something BIG. Thanks to a generous donor and the work of Chaos to Memories, we were able to gather every physical and digital photo into an online archive for all of the HoneyRock community to enjoy. You can explore this incredible collection on our SmugMug site. Fill out the form below to access the archive and share the link with your friends and family!

Sign up for our Photo Archive
HoneyRock Canoeing