Camp Barakel
Private
Camp Barakel is a year-round, Christ-centered camp on 350 wooded acres with full frontage on spring-fed Shear Lake in Fairview, northeast Michigan, hosting close to 10,000 guests a year. Camp activities include swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and zip lining, with lodging in cabins and lodges. Founded in 1942, it is owned and operated as a non-denominational ministry by a group of about 40 Michigan churches from a range of denominations, and it serves all ages.
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact Camp Barakel directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
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★★★★★Beth BeardCamp Barakel is Christian camp for children and teens during the summer, with family camps memorial and labor day weekends and weekend retreats in the fall and winter. Plenty of activities and chapel times all in a Christ honoring location. Camp Barakel "where God has blessed."
★★★★★Samantha PinkardWent here for 5 years as a kid (2005-2010) and it was amazing and shaped my faith. Encourage your kids to ask questions and tell them you can't wait to hear what they learn! Sending your kids here is something you won't regret.
★★★★★Rachel DeverOver 30 years ago I attended Camp Barakel and I absolutely adored my summers there! Everything was just wonderful from the cabins to the food, the swimming to sharing of the Bible. This past summer my kids, 11 and 8, attended summer camp for the first time at Barakel. They loved every minute! We picked them up from camp and they toured us all around! The camp looks the same and yet even more picturesque, especially the beautifully built new cabins! So thankful Camp Barakel is still giving new generations a time of Bible, friendship, and fun! My children are already excited to be going back for summer camp 2026!
★★★★★Nolan WilliamsDaily retreat from distraction to pray, and study the scriptures is crucial to a stable walk with the Holy Spirit, in Christ. But also, taking a chunk of time away from the pull of daily life (you do it on Sunday morning!) for teaching, praising, real fellowship can become a time of incredible growth fueled by the Grace of our merciful God. Camp Barakel excels in providing and shaping these retreats. As far as venue, its lovely. Well maintained clean cabins in the woods. Trails and beautiful Shear Lake. Kindness abounds from the people who serve there, and food does too! But the place, itself, will end up becoming something special beyond a stand of trees, trails and lake - when you take time so that you can slow down enough to hear your thoughts - and if you are at that camp at the Lord's invitation and your heart is set on becoming more fully His, then The Spirit WILL speak to you and when that happens the place that you are becomes memorable for an entirely different reason. It becomes the kind of place that when it is even named stimulates you to worship God.
★★★★★Hollis Locke IIICamp Barakel is a wonderful place to spend time. They have amazing week long summer camps for many ages, family camp, tons of weekend retreats in the fall, winter and spring. My kids love the summer camps and our oldest daughter will be volunteering this summer as well. We never miss the winter father daughter retreat and I have many wonderful memories of the fall men's retreat with the men from our church. This is truly a camp 'where God has blessed'. The staff are all volunteers or missionaries and they are amazing servants. They desire for you to know Christ and to grow in your faith while having a great time at camp.