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About

Spruce Lake


41.2266° N, 75.2676° W

Spruce Lake Retreat encourages persons from a variety of traditions to a deeper faith in God through Jesus Christ.

In this peaceful setting in the heart of the Pocono Mountains in northeastern Pennsylvania, Spruce Lake provides Christian church, family and corporate groups with lodging, meeting spaces and meals for their next event or retreat. Spruce Lake also hosts summer camps, programmatic retreats, and outdoor education programs throughout the year.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Facts

Over 900 Acres of woods, fields & waterfalls
Over 28,000 Visitors per year
Over 450 Group events per year
Over 8 Miles of walking trails

Our Story

The story of Spruce Lake is one of God’s Spirit moving across generations to form and sustain a place which has become a spiritual home for so many.

In 1955, hurricanes Connie and Diane poured down over 21 inches of rain on the Pocono mountain region. From the mud, God used rescue work spearheaded by Blooming Glen Mennonite Church to shape the yet unforeseen Spruce Lake.

Nearly 700 people came to the first open house in May 1963, and dedicated their new mountain sanctuary to the Lord for his work July 4, 1963. Families and children came to play and explore, to share a meal, to worship, and make music in their hearts to God.

What started with just a few family retreats and only 2 weeks of summer camp that first summer has now expanded to serving over 30,000 guests and campers each year. Over the years, as facilities have changed and programs expanded, the mission of Spruce Lake has remained the same: Pointing People Toward Christ.

God’s amazing work through Spruce Lake continues to this day. In 2017, God choreographed the purchase of Spruce Mountain, a major milestone, with payment in full! And in Spring 2018, a new Youth Activity Center, Mountain View,  has been dedicated so the Summer Camp area can become a year-round youth ministry hub at Spruce Lake. In Fall of 2018, a historical camp was added to the Spruce Lake Family. Please click on link below to learn more about Pinebrook, located 16 miles from Spruce Lake.

Pinebrook Story

Our Beliefs

Spruce Lake Retreat is dedicated to Christian service in the Anabaptist tradition. The foundational belief of Spruce Lake is that the life and teachings of Jesus are central to our lives. We believe that Jesus is the complete revelation of who God is, and he becomes the Holy Light that guides our thoughts and actions. We believe that Jesus is the Creator, Savior, Lord, and Sustainer of our lives, declared to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead.

Shadow of a cross in the woods.

Affiliations & Memberships

Mennonite Camping Association

Mennonite Camping Association

Christian Camp Conference Association

Christian Camp Conference Association

Joni & Friends

Joni & Friends

The Christian Overcomers, Inc.

The Christian Overcomers, Inc.

Spruce Lake Leadership

  • Mark Swartley – Executive Director
  • Jonathan Tice – Spruce Lake Director
  • Kathy Bergey – Finance Director
  • Gordy Martin – Sales Director
  • Dave Trout – Advancement Director
  • Brian Brawley – Food Service Director
  • Steve Ykema – Facilities Director
  • Julie Siegfried – Human Resource Director
  • Randy Gaumer – Director of Pastoral Ministries & Discipleship