Comments from our latest Treehouse Campers. "What a perfect get-away for my grandsons, my two dogs and me! We did a little bit of everything, horse shoes, hiking, fishing and of course a camp fire and s'mores. The fishing was great. Not only did I get to watch as my grandson caught his first bass, I caught a 20" bass and had to have my grandson go get a net from Dean. I think Dean was just as excited as I was to see it. I played catch and release so I know of one fish for sure in the pond. We called him Alfred. We definnitely will be returning next summer." Lin from Fort Dodge

John 15 Vineyard is a great location for family fun. Two families from Omaha camping in the tree house were greeted early one morning by a family of deer at the edge of the camp ground. Fishing and peddle boating topped off their camping weekend. A family of 22 celebrated a 50th wedding anniversary with a meal catered by Lidderdale Country Store followed by playing, fishing and sitting around the fire ring and enjoying the peacefulness of the country. Two other family reunions were held at John 15 Vineyard with people coming from as far away as Kansas City and south eastern Iowa. Beds were available for those who stayed overnight.

The opportunity has come to “stretch” myself. We have a business meeting scheduled in our Retreat Center and they asked for continental breakfast and lunch for 8 people. With the help of friends I developed a menu and I can now offer catering for up to 24 persons. Other food options are either the group can bring in their own food or hire another caterer. Since this is new for me, I invited our Pastor and wife Sandy to a “dress rehearsal” dinner. Grilled teriyaki chicken breast, oven baked potatoes, macaroni salad topped and grape pie a la mode drizzled with our grape syrup.

The Boy Scouts had a great time camping and helping to clear a walking path through the timber. We received a very nice response from them. “Thank you for the opportunity to camp at the tree house the weekend of April 27th with 12 Boy Scouts and 4 leaders. The grounds are beautiful and the camping was perfect - quiet, peaceful, and surrounded by nature. Excellent set up with fire pit, ample wood, the unique tree house, and many acres of timber nearby to explore and enjoy. The Rogers could not have been more accommodating and their vineyards, pond, and banquet facilities are first class. A great place to take large families and groups. Thanks again. Troop 65 , Carroll, IA”

The Meeting and Retreat Center was the perfect venue to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary. Lidderdale catered the meal and the family provided the cupcakes, slide show and fun. The kids enjoyed the playground and treehouse in the yard. Some of the guests even took a wagon ride to the Tree House Camp Ground. It was a grand day.

Thelma Hedges and her daughters, daughters-in -law and granddaughters had a great quilting weekend in the Vineyard Meeting & Retreat Center. They prepared their meals in the Retreat Center kitchen, slept on the second floor and quilted to their hearts content. They enjoyed the peace and quiet and the lack of distractions.

Does this give you ideas? Quilting - Scrapbooking - Sewing - Book discussions - Family or Business retreats. What interest would bring you to our quiet, peaceful Meeting & Retreat Center in the country? Just message us... Click here to read more and leave a comment.

Yesterday we had 120 tons of gravel delivered and spread on our Vineyard Barn parking area and the driveway to the treehouse. No one likes to drive and park in the mud. Do you know how much 120 tons is? The African savanna or bush elephant, the largest living land animal, weighs about 8 1/4 tons. 120 tons would be the equivalent of the weight of 8 1/2 African elephants.