Important Information

 
 

General Outline

A wedding chamber has no schedule. The following is our attempt at a general outline so we can come together at appointed times during this week.

  • Early morning time with Abba, in dining hall, outside your tent or take prayer walk by the lake. 

  • Quiet hours till 7am

  • 8am Coffee & Conversation. Children and Parents are encouraged to join around a campfire or mingle around tents with morning worship music soaking in the background. Bring an easy morning snack so you can engage in conversation with others.

  • 9am Morning Prayer (Men) listen for shofar to meet at the Sukkah. Our men will set the tone of the camp with prayer each morning.

  • 10:30am Midrash (all), Children will receive a father’s blessing under the Sukkah

  • After blessing, children are escorted from Sukkah to children’s ministry and will be brought back to the Sukkah after Midrash is over. Children will be given healthy snacks during the children’s ministry.

  • Lunch is on your own. You are encouraged to join together around your campfires.

  • 2pm-4pm could be an activity such as refreshing the Sukkah, renewing wedding vows, group pictures, baptism, fishing, edible sukkahs, or yard games. Group text messages will be sent out to keep you informed.

  • Dinner is on your own. We encourage you to eat your own food together around campfires or the sukkah or you may use the dinning hall at anytime throughout the feast.

  • 4:30pm Shabbat Dinners We encourage shared slow-cooker style meals. Don’t miss gathering together for Shabbat meals and the beautiful prayers! We try to start dinner early so we can get to the worship campfire afterward.

  • 6:30pm-8:30pm could be activities such as worship, s’mores night with glow sticks, or community bonfire.

  • Campfire chats are all hours of the night, however, remember that quiet hours are from 10p-7a. Adults please be neighborly and let children sleep.

This week take a few minutes (or hours) and get alone with your family under the Sukkah. Spend time outside with your family without all the noise. We recommend leaving your phone behind and don’t worry about taking pictures. Be with your family, enjoy their faces, enjoy YHVH’s creation and take a look around to meet your greater family in the Kingdom!


You may register to attend the entire event or change the dates to show the number of nights you will be staying. If you will be staying in nearby lodging, please contact email us at info@myfreedomhill.com so we can count you into our planning for the entire event.  

We require one registration form to be completed for each family. Full payment is due at the time of registration. Email info@myfreedomhill.com if financial assistance is needed. The deadline to register is September 28, 2023. We would appreciate no refunds after September 29,2023 due to purchasing materials needed for the Feast. In all cases, your registration is not confirmed until full payment has been received.

Camp Address

Bond Camp

1119 Missouri Ave

Mulberry Grove, IL

Pets

Due to liability, Bond Camp does not allow pets such as dogs or cats on campgrounds. 

Lulav and Etrog

If you would like to purchase a lulav and etrog set, we recommend this website: www.gotetrog.com 

Arrival/Departure

You may arrive as early as Noon on Friday, September 29th. Plan to arrive early enough to set up your site and help build & decorate the Community Sukkah around 4pm on Friday.  If you need to arrive after dark, consider staying in the dorms that night and set up during daylight.  The last Great Day of the feast is sundown Friday, October 6th through sundown Saturday, October 7th. After sundown on Saturday the feast is over, so most people will stay another night leaving by 12pm on Sunday, October 8th after assisting in clean up of the campgrounds.   

Accommodations 

RV or Camper

All RV sites provide electricity, but it does not provide water or waste removal. There is a location for manual waste removal. Feel free to use the on-site restrooms and showers. 

Tent

There are many places to set up your tent. Those desiring electricity will need to bring long extension cords. We cannot guarantee that you will be able to have electricity, but will do our best. There are on-site restrooms & showers in the Lakeside dorm and the Dining Hall.

Dorm bunk beds

The dorms have multiple bunk beds for single boys/girls. Each dorm has a restroom & shower facility that is shared with the remainder of the camp.  We cannot accommodate a private room.   

Meals & Campfires

You are responsible for providing your own meals. There is a commercial walk-in refrigerator and freezer in the kitchen of the Dining Hall. It should fit your cooler. There is a Wal-Mart grocery about 10 minutes away in Vandalia. There are existing campfire sites near Lakeside pavilion, Woodside pavilion, and near the Worship Chapel. You may start your own fire location if desired but please try to collaborate so many can use the site.  

Evening Program

Join us in the evenings.  We will be using the chapel with an emphasis on worship and fellowship. Please plan on bringing your camp chairs and blankets in case we decide to take the fellowship outside.

Morning Midrash 

A sukkot favorite is the morning midrash where we gather at the sound of the shofar to hear the Word. This is a beautiful time to hear the heart of our heavenly Father expressed through His people via His Word. Childcare will be provided.  

More Information Specific to Bond Camp

  • RESTROOMS: Dining Hall and Lakeside Buildings have restroom and shower facilities. Please help us keep them clean as you are able by using the provided cleaning supplies.

  • FOOD: You may store your cooler in walk-in refrigerator & freezer located in Dining Hall.

  • COMMUNITY POTLUCK: Community potluck dinners are Sun 10/09, Thur 10/13, Sat 10/15 and Sun 10/16. Freedom Hill will provide main course. Please bring a side. Alcohol is not permitted on the campgrounds.

  • TENT: We typically camp in the section with higher ground. You may want to avoid placing a tent next to an electrical pole. Save that space for an RV or Camper. Bring extension cords to connect your tent to electric. All camp sites are on a first come-first serve. Jim Lindley will be on-site if you need assistance.   

  • FISHING: Available in the private on-site lake. No license required. Bring your own poles. Fishing boat and life jackets available although feel free to bring your own pontoon boat. 

  • SUKKAH: We welcome you to participate in building and decorating the Sukkah on Sunday, October 9th. We will go around the area to find tree branches and wild flowers. Bring purchased flowers if desired.

  • MEN’S PRAYER: All men are encouraged to meet at the Sukkah to pray around 8:30am every morning. Many have said this is their favorite part of Sukkot. Listen for the shofars to know the exact time to start.  

  • MIDRASH: Everyone meets for Midrash every morning under the Sukkah. This has grown to be a favorite time as well. It is typically begins just after breakfast around 10am. Listen for the shofars to know the exact time to start. Bring your bibles, lawn chair, sunscreen and a snack. Its typically too sunny to see the text on a mobile bible app. Children should be present for prayer and will be escorted to children’s ministry.

  • OFFERING: Sukkot is one of three times of the year we are not to come before the Lord ‘empty handed’ (Deut. 16:16) On Saturday, October 15th, we will be taking up an offering to the Lord in order to give you an opportunity to fulfill the spirit behind this commandment. Thus, if you would like to give your offering to the Lord’s work through Freedom Hill Community, we ask that you come prepared.

  • QUIET HOURS: every night from 10pm to 7am. Please respect people sleeping during this time.

  • DRESS: Modest dress is required. Long shorts (covering your thighs). No see-through clothes. Cover torso and chest. Avoid tight fitting attire (skinny jeans are generally fine but use your discretion if a long shirt is needed over them - for example, leggings could be worn under a long shirt).

  • WISDOM: We strongly recommend avoiding one-on-one situations and stay in groups of three or more.

  • LOST & FOUND: Located in dining hall. Use discretion, try not move other people’s items.

QUESTIONS & CONCERNS: 

If anyone has questions or concerns about any situation at the campground, contact one of the following: 

Jim Lindley 618-580-1747 

Matt Hoffmann 314-313-1946 

Laura Hoffmann 314-249-3803