Makemie Woods is a 275 acre camping facility, comprised of an awe-inspiring forest of pines and hardwoods, surrounded by the Diascund Reservoir. Campers live in cabins and longhouses in the midst of God’s creation, often catching glimpses of deer, raccoons and other wildlife, and falling asleep to the sounds of crickets and owls. Canoes and rowboats give campers the opportunity to venture onto the breathtaking beauty of the reservoir.

Makemie Woods offers a small-group camping experience, where each camper is important. Counselors live with their campers 24 hours a day, serving as teachers, activity leaders, and most importantly, as friends. No camper is lost in the crowd, but instead is given opportunities to contribute significantly to the growth of the group, and to begin friendships that last a lifetime.

Makemie Woods offers mature Christian leadership. The presence of Jesus Christ is experienced in all of the activities, and explored in Bible studies, worship, and devotions. Staff have been thoroughly screened, and trained to provide a well-rounded and safe camping experience.

Makemie Woods welcomes the participation of children of every faith, every race, every nationality. The camp is owned and operated by the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia, Presbyterian Church (USA), and supported by the Peninsula District of the United Methodist Church.  

In accordance with Federal Law and US Department of Agriculture Policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.  (See statement in bold below)

Makemie Woods is striving to be accessible and welcoming to every child who desires to participate in this program. Campers should expect that there will be other children in their camping family group who come from different backgrounds, who are of different races, and who have different gifts and ability levels.

Parents of children who have special physical, emotional or medical needs should contact the Director , the Rev. Michelle “Mike” Burcher at 800.566.1496 before enrolling their child to ensure that Makemie Woods can provide a successful experience for your child and to discuss the options available.  

Our camp fees are low in comparison to other camps due to the generosity of the local Presbyterian who help pay for the program. The actual cost per child of a single day at camp is nearly $100, (not including the T-shirts and off-site trip or specialty camp expenses). Persons or churches who would like to help provide scholarships are encouraged to make a donation to the camp earmarked "Scholarship Fund."

Note: as a service to parents, many sessions which begin early in the summer have a discounted fee.

Financial Assistance: A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available, based on need.  A $100 registration fee must accompany the application form (except for Test your WIngs and 2-night beginner sessions--$50)      Download application (Coming soon)

• Check-in and Pick up times:  
  Check in for all Makemie Woods sessions is 4 PM.  We encourage first-timers to come earlier, and returners to come a little later, to keep the lines shorter.  
  Pick up times for most sessions is 10 AM on the final day.  Exceptions:
  • Test Your Wings--11 AM 
  • Sessions ending on July 22--campfire at 6:30 (families welcome) and pick-up at 7:30
• Send your camper one-way email through Parent Communicator:  This is provided as a service to parents and others who wish to send e-mail to a particular camper.  Proceeds from the use of this service benefits the Scholarship Fund.  Credits you purchase this year can be used in future years, for multiple campers from the same family, and shared with other family members.  Of course, letters with stamps are always welcome!

Have questions? E-mail us