New Dining Hall « Portage Lake

The Final Phase

As of June 15, 2025
Total Raised: $4.7
Total Project: $5.7

We are excited to report that we are in the FINAL phase of fundraising for our Feeding 5,000 campaign with the intention of building a new Dining Hall beginning this August. Over the last 7 years, several issues stalled our intentions to build including (but not limited to) funding, a worldwide pandemic, rising costs, a massive hailstorm, and most recently, issues with local building permits. However, we have now secured the necessary permits, signed the contracts, ordered the materials, and begun prep work. We are just waiting for our summer 2025 programming to conclude before construction officially begins.

To date, we have raised above and beyond exceeding our original campaign budget based on the expected cost when the campaign started. We are now looking to raise an additional $1 million by the end of the year to meet our current budget of $5.7 million plus some contingencies.

We invite you to explore the tabs below for more background information and how you can support this project down the home stretch!

Official Ground Breaking Ceremony

We know many of you have been patiently waiting for this project to come to fruition, faithfully giving and praying for its success. The excitement of the new building comes with some grief in saying goodbye to the old, a tangible location of many cherished memories for those who have been campers.

We would be honored if you would join us for what we are calling our “Last Supper.” This will be an opportunity to gratefully reflect on the long service of our current dining hall and to celebrate the new with an official groundbreaking ceremony.

When: Sunday, August 10, 11am
Where: Here at camp!
CLICK HERE to register!

To help navigate the registration process, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the “Register for Groundbreaking” tab for step by step directions. This “Last Supper” groundbreaking will be tied into our Sunday morning service and lunch of Family Camp 4. Join us for Sunday service and stay for lunch and the groundbreaking. Please RSVP/register so we can plan appropriately in the kitchen for food for extra guests.

Want to get involved?

Contact us at (231) 889-5911, or email marc@portagelake.org. You can donate online now by filling out the form or clicking here! Your support is endlessly appreciated!

How to Register for the “Last Supper” Groundbreaking:

1. Login into or create an account on https://portagelake.campbrainregistration.com/

2. Under “View My Registrations” and “Summer 2025”, click “View Details”

3. Click the green button that says “+Add People, Sessions, or Options”

4. Underneath “Last Supper” Groundbreaking, click “Show Details”

5. Click the green “Add to Cart” button

6. The $25 meal price should now show up on the Cart Summary section on the right.

7. Do this for each person you are registering for the meal.

8. Lastly, click the “Continue” button to make a payment

We Give, He Multiplies

In Mark 6:36, Jesus instructs his disciples when they are faced with a hungry crowd of 5,000 by saying “…’You give them something to eat.’” In the previous verse, the disciples wanted to send the people away so they could find food for themselves. But that’s not what Jesus wanted. He used the crowd of hungry people to show his providence and willingness to use whatever we have to bring to the table. Feeding 5,000 is the title of our campaign to build a new dining hall because God calls us to feed others not just with food but spiritually.

We began this campaign 7 years ago to build a new dining hall that will meet the needs of our expanding mission. Since then, camp has seen a lot of change. Despite these challenges, we are back on track! God is faithful, and the Portage Lake family has responded with tremendous giving.

Camp’s dining hall has served the ministry well since 1968, but it was never designed to be used year round. As our ministry has grown, our needs have outpaced what the building can provide. Campers and retreat-goers spend more time in the dining hall than any other single building at camp; it is here we eat, share stories, and have meaningful interactions. The new facility will be more efficient, versatile, and comfortable, allowing ministry to thrive for the next generation.

For almost 80 years, Portage Lake Covenant bible Camp has served youth and families through planned summer camps and retreats. Thousands of young campers have committed their lives to Christ for the first time at camp. Thousands more have dedicated themselves to lives of faith and significance. Generations of families have had opportunities to thrive and pursue God together here. over the past 30 years, camp has expanded to be a full-service, year-round camp and retreat center serving churches from all over the Midwest, as well as schools and organizations who come to enjoy the facilities and participate in leadership development and team-building programs. With modern facilities, a beautiful outdoor setting , and both high hand low challenge courses, Portage Lake Covenant Bible Camp now meets diverse, perennial needs in an ever-expanding mission field.

Our mission at Portage Lake Covenant Bible Camp is to “help people experience the transforming power of God at camp.” We invite campers and retreat-goers to step out of their daily routines and into a Christ-centered community built around Real FUN, Real FAITH, and Real FRIENDSHIP in an unforgettable setting. It is our desire that our guests be presented with the gospel of Jesus and leave camp hungry for a deeper spiritual walk and a life of significance. We seek to be hospitable and for all of our guests to feel comfortable, informed, and at ease so that God can do His work! Many call camp a “thin place” where the gap between heaven and earth disappears.