Facilities
The Retreat Haus offers NEW mattresses and bed linens for main floor double beds to enhance our guest's restful stay with us. This three story dormitory style building sleeps a maximum 105 guests in private rooms with common bath facilities. There are 12 double-bed rooms, 12 bunk-bed rooms and 8 family rooms. There are central bathrooms for men and women on both floors of the building. the man floor lobby and most of the individual rooms are air conditioned. The Retreat Haus also offers a NEWLY renovated recreation area, NEW lobby furniture, a kitchenette, and lobby areas on each floor to conduct informal meetings.
The Layman's Lodge provides bunkhouse-style sleeping areas. Two separate wings offer 16 sets of bunk beds, for a capacity of 64 guests. Each wing has its own separate bathroom. The main lobby provides a lodge-style atmosphere with a fireplace & snack kitchen that can be used for meetings. The Layman's Lodge is an economical year-round facility to conduct a youth or college retreat, parent-child enrichment, and Men's or Ladies' Retreats.
Food Service for The BRETHREN RETREAT at Shipshewana Lake has received many compliments for menu quality and generous portions. The Dining Hall offers air conditioned dining for up to 150 guests complimented by a Noah's Ark theme. Our Chef will serve a buffet or cafeteria style menu that will satisfy the heartiest of appetites. We can also provide special dietary requests such as diabetic, low fat or salt, variety of breakfasts styles, and a light-menu to meet the special needs of your group. THE BRETHREN RETERAT at Shipshewana Lake is located in the middle of Amish Country, which is noted for excellent home cooked meals. We desire to uphold that tradition for our guests! Call us for an example of a typical menu served to our guests.
The Tabernacle serves as a large group meeting area with comfortable seating for accommodating 200 guests. The Tabernacle provides a rustic camp atmosphere due to the wooden interior and newly remodeled stage area. This building may be used for worship services, meetings, and other indoor activities. the following equipment is available to enhance your programs & skits: LCD projector with screen, video monitor, P.A. system, costume/prop room, and luxurious conference-style chairs.
Recreational activities are available. The Brethren Retreat at Shipshewana Lake is located on 202-acre Shipshewana Lake offering canoeing, row boating, and fishing. Many of our guests experience the glory of God's creation by viewing the painted sunsets across the lake after a day full of activity. The Brethren Retreat lays claim to the largest sandy beach on the lake w/ a 25' Aqua Jump, paddle boat and fun bugs. Shipshewana Lake has on going restoration projects to improve its recreational potential. We also offer a 16' x 32' above ground swimming pool. The nearby Pigeon River Bird Sanctuary allows the Brethren Retreat to offer Canoe trips of up to 20-30 guests at one time. We have a shuffleboard court, and archery range, Two volleyball courts and a basketball court, as well as a 2-acre playing field for softball, football, soccer or group games. We have a picnic shelter with a campfire ring for group gatherings near a large wooden Jungle Gym with swings for the young-@-heart. There is also a secluded campfire area at the end of a 400-yard "Wilderness Trail." The Brethren Retreat also offers a 12 acre area for primitive camping opportunities. During winter months there is ice skating on the lake and a hillside for sledding and tubing on the snow. We also have a NEWLY renovated recreation room with air-hockey, foosball and ping pong in the Retreat Haus.
Shipshewana, Indiana is said to be the State's #2 spot for tourism. There are many area attractions to visit since the Brethren Retreat at Shipshewana Lake is located in the heart of an Amish community and tourist area www.shipshewana.com. One attraction of special interest is the Menno-Hof Center www.menno-hof.org. The Menno-Hof Center is a museum portraying the history of the Mennonites and Amish. Shipshe-Shopping is of interest to all of our guests. Downtown Shipshewana has 100 craft and gift shops that exhibit the Amish heritage everyday but Sunday. The newly rebuilt Davis Merchantile is the largest timber frame building in the United States offering: 24 gift shoppes on three floors, a 1926 carousel with hand carved wooden horses, the Mousetrap puppet theater and a 350 year old Canadian fir in the grand stairway. The Shipshewana Flea Market and Auction is touted as the Midwest's most popular flea market. It is not unusual for this quiet little town of 650 people to swell with thousands of tourists attending the Flea Market and Auction each Tuesday and Wednesday from May to October. Special events are held throughout the year such as: Mayfest, Fall Crafters Sale, Country Christmas in November and December, Pajama Sale in February, and Red Hat Ladies month in March. Though close to many attractions, the Brethren Retreat provides a peaceful retreat away from it all on the shores of Shipshewana Lake.
