Illuminations 2026
December 1
Illuminations - Christmas Reflections at Camp Roger FREE EVENT
6:00-7:30 pm OPEN HOUSE to hike illuminated trails at Camp Roger
*Additional Indoor Activities in Ridge Hall*
6:00-6:45 pm Fireplace, Hot Chocolate, Cookies & a Small Craft
7:00-7:30 pm Tree Lighting, Carols, & Christmas Book Reading
Perfect for anyone who can walk on a hilly, snow-packed (maybe!) woodland trail.
A paved, accessible trail will be available around the bottom level of Ridge Hall via elevator.
*Additional Indoor Activities in Ridge Hall*
6:00-6:45 pm Fireplace, Hot Chocolate, Cookies & a Small Craft
7:00-7:30 pm Tree Lighting, Carols, & Christmas Book Reading
Perfect for anyone who can walk on a hilly, snow-packed (maybe!) woodland trail.
A paved, accessible trail will be available around the bottom level of Ridge Hall via elevator.
On Giving Tuesday, Camp Roger wants to give back to you!
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We can’t wait to see you, your family, and your friends at Camp during the winter! Spread the word!
On the evening of the event, the best way to experience *more* luminaries is to use our Belding Road entrance by the large Acorn sign. We will have greeters there, and you can see the lights on the driveway. It's beautiful!
This is an open-house-style event! Guests can arrive and leave anytime between 6:00 and 7:30 pm.
To experience the complete event: Hike the illuminated trail; walk to Ridge Hall to warm up by the fireplace, eat cookies, drink hot chocolate, or make a small craft; then stay for the tree lighting, Christmas carols, and a Christmas book reading.
Please leave your dogs at home for this event.
Enter Camp Roger at 8356 Belding Road in Rockford next to the BLUE Acorn sign. Go between the luminaries, then immediately drive down the hill (and to the right) to meet our greeters. You can drive alongside the lights on the driveway before you get to the parking lot. It's beautiful!
We can't wait to see you!
***********
We can’t wait to see you, your family, and your friends at Camp during the winter! Spread the word!
On the evening of the event, the best way to experience *more* luminaries is to use our Belding Road entrance by the large Acorn sign. We will have greeters there, and you can see the lights on the driveway. It's beautiful!
This is an open-house-style event! Guests can arrive and leave anytime between 6:00 and 7:30 pm.
To experience the complete event: Hike the illuminated trail; walk to Ridge Hall to warm up by the fireplace, eat cookies, drink hot chocolate, or make a small craft; then stay for the tree lighting, Christmas carols, and a Christmas book reading.
Please leave your dogs at home for this event.
Enter Camp Roger at 8356 Belding Road in Rockford next to the BLUE Acorn sign. Go between the luminaries, then immediately drive down the hill (and to the right) to meet our greeters. You can drive alongside the lights on the driveway before you get to the parking lot. It's beautiful!
We can't wait to see you!
Evening schedule & Prayer walk reflections
As we celebrate the Christmas season, it is easy to get caught up in the details of gift buying, decorating, making delicious snacks, hosting family, or traveling.
We are thankful that you are here tonight as we remember what Christmas is really about -
the birth of a Savior who cares so much about us that He would die so that we might live.
When you walk around our trail tonight, stop at each location to read each short reflection to yourself or your family.
Note: The Illuminations Trail is a dirt path about 1/2 mile long with a few hills. It will not take long to walk.
Follow the luminaries down the final hill to join us in Ridge Hall for hot chocolate, a warm fireplace, snacks, and a craft.
Feel free to sit on the swings in Central Area at any time.
The bell will ring at 6:45 pm, inviting you to gather with us in Ridge Hall for a short program at 7:00 pm
We will light our Christmas tree, sing carols, and read a Christmas book.
Thank you for your continued support of Camp Roger, and we are so glad you came.
We are thankful that you are here tonight as we remember what Christmas is really about -
the birth of a Savior who cares so much about us that He would die so that we might live.
When you walk around our trail tonight, stop at each location to read each short reflection to yourself or your family.
Note: The Illuminations Trail is a dirt path about 1/2 mile long with a few hills. It will not take long to walk.
Follow the luminaries down the final hill to join us in Ridge Hall for hot chocolate, a warm fireplace, snacks, and a craft.
Feel free to sit on the swings in Central Area at any time.
The bell will ring at 6:45 pm, inviting you to gather with us in Ridge Hall for a short program at 7:00 pm
We will light our Christmas tree, sing carols, and read a Christmas book.
Thank you for your continued support of Camp Roger, and we are so glad you came.
Station 1 - Trailside Village Campfire
What is Christmas all about?
Christmas celebrates the birth of a child, Jesus, one who would change the world in a big way bringing deliverance through salvation.
Romans 3:23 (NIV) says that we need a Savior, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Our sin separates us from God and has turned our world into a dark and dreary place.
Christmas celebrates the birth of a child, Jesus, one who would change the world in a big way bringing deliverance through salvation.
Romans 3:23 (NIV) says that we need a Savior, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Our sin separates us from God and has turned our world into a dark and dreary place.
Station 2 - Tom's Fork Campfire
Who is the Savior?
Jesus is the child that was born that would save the world.
Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) says this: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
The Gospel of John talks about Jesus being the light that has come into the world.
John 1:4-5 (NIV) says this: “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Jesus is the child that was born that would save the world.
Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) says this: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
The Gospel of John talks about Jesus being the light that has come into the world.
John 1:4-5 (NIV) says this: “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Station 3 - Yurt (make sure to go inside and look up!)
How did Jesus provide salvation to us?
By dying a painful and shameful death on the cross - a death usually reserved for those who had committed terrible crimes - Jesus provided salvation.
When He died, the final barrier between us and God was removed.
John 3:16 (NIV) says, "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
By dying a painful and shameful death on the cross - a death usually reserved for those who had committed terrible crimes - Jesus provided salvation.
When He died, the final barrier between us and God was removed.
John 3:16 (NIV) says, "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Station 4 - Hilltop Village Campfire
What should we do to remember during this Christmas season?
We can say a prayer of thanks to God for sending His Son to be the Savior of the world.
We can tell others about this Good News.
Acts 20:24 (NIV) says this: “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”
We can live gratefully this Christmas season and beyond as we think about the best Christmas gift we could ever receive, the gift of a Savior.
We can say a prayer of thanks to God for sending His Son to be the Savior of the world.
We can tell others about this Good News.
Acts 20:24 (NIV) says this: “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”
We can live gratefully this Christmas season and beyond as we think about the best Christmas gift we could ever receive, the gift of a Savior.
Thank You!
Interested in summer camp? Registration begins on January 15 at 12:01 am. Go to CampRoger.org/summer-camp for more information.