The 366 scenic acres in southern Morrow County is home to summer camps. But it’s so much more.
“We believe that what happens here changes the world,” said Lonnie Thompson, Executive Director of Operations for Heartland Conference Retreat Center.
‘Life change happens when you take time to get away and you focus in on creation and experiences. We are a faith-based camp and retreat center, so we really focus in on experiences.”
Heartland Conference Retreat Center is an interdenominational Christian camp, conference and retreat center, owned and operated by the Ohio Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God.
“Heartland was built with sumer camp in mind, so we have over 700 beds with the ability to sleep a lot of people and come together for sessions and times of worship,” he said.
Thompson said there’s a lot more to Heartland than summer camps.
“That’s only available three months out of the year. The other nine months we’re doing things like outdoor education, that is a huge part of our ministry here.”
Heartland partners with more than 70 public and private schools in central Ohio.
“We also do leader development with corporate team building on our high ropes course and our zip line,” Thompson said.
“Groups and businesses can bring a team here; get out of the office and build unity; work through communication and talk about healthy conflict resolution.”
Retreats for faith-based groups, non-profit or community organizations are offered.
“We are going to go through this together. There is hope on the other side,” he said regarding the challenges of Covid. “We’re going to be able to serve the community, like with our food distribution events.”
Heartland plans to install an air purification system in its buildings. A fund-raising campaign, Operation Open, will be announced soon.
Contact: 3201 County Road 225, Marengo, OH 43334; 740-747-0220; website: heartlandretreat.com or on Facebook.
