Tel Hai Camp & Retreat in Honey Brook will hold its annual spring celebration banquet on Monday, April 7, at the Shady Maple banquet facility, 129 Toddy Drive, East Earl. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for seating and appetizers, and the program will begin at 6:30 p.m.

This year's event will celebrate the camp's 75th anniversary, and the program will feature testimonies offered by those who have attended camp activities through the years. "In past years, we had (entertainment) like a juggler or live music. This year, my focus is celebrating 75 years and having people share experiences of being at the camp," said executive director Bryan Levengood.

The program will begin with hors d'oeuvres and a welcome by a Tel Hai board member, followed by the buffet-style meal. The speakers, including relatives of the camp's founding members, will follow, and Levengood will also provide an address.

"I will share my vision for the future of the camp and where I see us going," Levengood stated.

Attendance is complimentary, but an offering will be received at the conclusion of the event to help with the cost of the banquet as well as general support of Tel Hai Camp's ministry.

According to a history of the camp provided at http://www.telhaicamp.org, the camp was founded in 1950 as an independent, nonprofit, Christian camp. Members of the board of directors were appointed from two local Mennonite churches - Maple Grove and Conestoga.

The board developed a camp program designed to "encourage the physical, mental and spiritual growth" of urban and local children. The group purchased a farm north of Beaver Dam Road in Honey Brook, and the camp was started in a farmhouse, located across the road from where Tel Hai Retirement Community is now.

In 1956, the camp was moved to the woods on the south side of the road. In 1996, another 40 acres was added to the east of the camp. In subsequent years, the cabins, the dining hall, the recreational hall and the outdoor chapel were added, as well as other amenities, including a climbing wall, a zip line, a miniature golf course and swimming pool.

While Tel Hai is known for its summer camps, the facility is used year-round as a retreat and meeting place. "Our summer camps run about nine weeks, where we are booked out all week long," Levengood said. "From September through the end of May is our retreats. They come from all over - youth groups and men's and women's ministry groups. We (even host) a scrapbooking group."

Levengood added that a canine rescue organization recently utilized the Tel Hai property as a training location for its dogs.

"We actually have a group from the retirement community use our gym to play pickleball during the wintertime," Levengood added.

Upcoming events include a spring camp for homeschoolers that will offer six weeks of classes starting on Tuesday, April 1. "They learn canoeing and kayaking, and this year we have a Lego (activity)," Levengood pointed out.

Levengood noted that donations received at the banquet will be used to finance the programming costs, adding that the event is open to people associated with the camp, as well as the general public.

"We send information out to former campers, groups that have come here and churches that bring groups here," Levengood noted. "People from the community who want to learn about us, know about us and know what's going on (are also invited to attend)."

For more information about Tel Hai Camp & Retreat, located at 31 Lasso Drive, Honey Brook, and to make a reservation for the banquet, call 610-273-3969 or email info@telhaicamp.org. More information and a link to reserve tickets are also available at the previously mentioned website and http://www.facebook.com/TelHaiCampRetreat. The reservation deadline is Monday, March 31.