Fanari Summer Camp is a ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, and is set in the wonderful setting of our very own St. Iakovos Retreat Center in Kansasville, WI. With its roots in the Summer Church Camp Program of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, Chicago (which dates back into the mid-50’s), it officially became Fanari Camp in 1972.
Fanari Summer Camp has taken place at three locations in its history, including Conference Point on Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, through 2005. In 2006, Fanari Summer Camp moved to the Green Lake Conference Center, Green Lake, Wisconsin, until it moved to its current home, the St. Iakovos Retreat Center.
Fanari is now seeing its third generation of campers, after having the grandparents and parents of current campers attend in the past. As we move through the first part of the new century, the Metropolis of Chicago Fanari Summer Camp continues to see strong interest in the camp program. The Camp Core Staff is always planning for the future, to guarantee that this “jewel” of our Metropolis is around to provide the same experiences to current and future youth that it did for their parents and grandparents. Among the activities at Fanari Camp are sing-a-longs, campfires, Orthodox life discussion, Bible Study, Greek Culture, dancing, swimming, nature hikes, athletics, Olympic games, skit night and daily worship services.
It would be misleading and untrue to say that there haven’t been bumps in the road as to the year after year planning and implementation of the Fanari Summer Camp program. But do to the grace of God, and the faith and dedication of Fr. Bill Chiganos, Nick Kirkeles, and Fr. Chris Avramopoulos, loyally supported by members of both clergy and laity, who comprise the Fanari Summer Camp Steering Committee and Staff, the bumps have been repaired and the effort to bring Orthodox Christianity to hundreds of campers each year continues without interruption.
