Adventure-Based Youth Group Retreats in the Midwest: Why Wildman Should Be on Your Radar
Outdoor experiences that challenge, connect, and inspire—perfect for youth groups who want a meaningful retreat.
🌲 A Different Kind of Youth Retreat
If you’re looking for a space where your youth group can unplug from screens, connect with each other, and grow through shared challenge and laughter, Wildman Adventure Resort offers an unforgettable adventure-based retreat experience in the heart of the Midwest. We believe that adventure is just the beginning. We know that the best experiences require a step outside our comfort zone. Youth group planners love Wildman Resort because of the opportunities to push comfort zones in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Located along the Peshtigo and Menominee Rivers—just a 5-hour drive from Chicago or Minneapolis—Wildman brings together adventure, reflection, and community in a setting that feels both remote and accessible. We host school and church groups who travel from across the all across the Midwest to experience the unique blend of excitement and purpose that defines a Wildman retreat.
🧗 Team-Building Adventures for Youth Groups
Group retreats at Wildman are designed around teamwork, growth, and connection. Your group’s goals come first—we’ll build a custom schedule that helps participants step outside their comfort zones while supporting one another along the way.
Popular adventure combinations include:
-
Menominee Outpost Day: Whitewater rafting on the Menominee River paired with ziplining or paintball.
-
Peshtigo Outpost Day: Single-person rafting on the Peshtigo River and the Alpine Tower High Ropes Course, where participants learn to belay, trust, and encourage one another.
-
Spiritual & Reflective Time: Each site offers quiet riverside spaces perfect for small-group devotionals or evening campfires.
Every retreat is guided by our trained adventure staff, ensuring your youth leaders can focus on mentoring and connection instead of logistics.
🏕️ Lodging Options that Fit Your Group
Wildman can accommodate groups over over 100, but also tailors perfectly to smaller church or confirmation groups. Because all lodging options are close together, it’s easy to mix and match spaces so that leaders can stay in cabins while students camp nearby. Some group leaders use a large cabin as a central gathering space for meals and post-adventure hangouts.
Lodging options include:
-
Cabins – Deluxe units with full kitchens, bathrooms, and multiple bedrooms. Perfect for groups who want the comforts of home.
-
Campsites – Each with a picnic table and firepit, ideal for evening devotionals or team meals.
-
Combination setups – Large groups often mix cabins and campsites, creating a central hub for meals or worship.
Groups also enjoy access to a covered pavilion for crafts, sermons, or mealtime gatherings—rain or shine. Guests lodging at the Peshtigo River campground or in cabins have access to a sand volleyball court, hot showers and flush toilets, and a riverside walking trail along the Roaring Rapids section of the Peshtigo River!
🍳 Flexible Meal Options
Every group has its own rhythm, and we make it easy to plan meals around your schedule.
-
Campfire cooking: Bring your own food and cook as a team while camping—it’s a youth group classic!
-
Cabin dining: Deluxe cabins include full kitchens stocked with dishes and cookware. Cook meals as a group, or use a cabin as a central gathering space for meals.
-
Catering available: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner can be delivered directly to your lodging. Many groups choose a hybrid plan—cooking some meals themselves and having others catered to maximize connection time.
Easy Access from Across the Midwest
Wildman Adventure Resort sits squarely in the Midwest’s outdoor adventure corridor—an easy 5-hour drive from Chicago or Minneapolis, and accessible from Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Most groups stay 3–5 nights, using Wildman as their basecamp for both on-site guided adventures and local exploration. You’ll be in the heart of Wisconsin’s outdoor adventure corridor! Between our two outposts, many groups enjoy the Marinette County Waterfall Tour, which features multiple scenic detours along the drive between the Peshtigo and Menominee Outposts. Stay an extra night, and take a day-trip excursion to Door County, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, or Marquette.
📅 Sample 4-Day Youth Group Retreat Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival & Setup
-
Arrive at the Peshtigo Outpost, check in, and set up camp or cabins.
- Play sand volleyball, hike along the river, play horseshoes, fishing
-
Group dinner at the pavilion, followed by a riverside campfire and small-group devotionals.
Day 2 – Peshtigo Outpost Adventures
- Spend the day at the same location as your lodging… no driving needed!
-
Morning: Alpine Tower High Ropes Course (team-building & challenge activities).
-
Lunch together at camp.
-
Afternoon: Single- Peshtigo River single-person rafting adventure.
-
Evening: Reflection & worship around the fire.
Day 3 – Menominee Outpost Excursion
-
Morning: Travel to Menominee Outpost via the Marinette County Waterfall route. Stop and check out Dave’s Falls along the way!
-
Whitewater rafting on the Menominee River, working as a team to tackle the biggest rapids in the Midwest
- Picnic lunch or food catered from the on-site Bombers Bar and Restaurant
- Zipline Canopy Tour or Paintball Pursuit
Day 4 – Check Out and Head Home
-
Morning: Alpine Tower High Ropes Course (team-building & challenge activities).
-
Lunch together at camp.
-
Afternoon: Whitewater rafting on the Peshtigo River in single-person rafts.
-
Evening: Reflection & worship around the fire.
(We build each adventure itinerary custom for your group! Our adventure consultant team will help you plan a trip that fits your group’s goals, interests, and comfort level.)
🤝 Why Faith Communities Love Wildman
While Wildman isn’t a religiously affiliated organization, our mission—to help people challenge themselves, connect with nature, and grow together—aligns perfectly with the heart of youth ministry.
OUR MISSION:
“At Wildman Adventure Resort, adventure is just the start. We challenge comfort zones, connect with each other and nature, laugh together, and grow together—building a community where every experience leaves every individual more fulfilled.”
Here, youth and leaders step away from screens, take on real challenges, and discover confidence, courage, and camaraderie in nature’s classroom. It’s an environment where lessons about trust, leadership, and community come naturally—through experience.
🧾 Ready to Start Planning?
Our Adventure Consultant Team will work with you to:
-
Tailor your schedule and adventure lineup.
-
Coordinate lodging and meal plans.
-
Handle logistics and curate a package for your group.
-
Provide guidance for safe, meaningful, and fun experiences.
📩 Request our Youth Group Retreat Planning Guide →
Or contact us today for group pricing and availability. We cannot WAIT to help you plan something extraordinary!
We’ll make sure every detail is ready—so your group can focus on what really matters: connection, challenge, and growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many participants can Wildman accommodate?
A: We’ve hosted youth groups ranging from 10 students all the way up to 200 guests! No matter your group size, we’re stoked to host you. Lodging can be mixed and matched to fit your group’s needs.
Q: Can we customize our adventure schedule?
A: Absolutely. Our Adventure Consultant Team builds every itinerary around your goals, group size, and comfort level.
Q: Do we need prior rafting or climbing experience?
A: Nope! All adventures are guided by professionals and suitable for beginners.
Q: Can we host devotionals or worship sessions on-site?
A: Yes! Groups often use the pavilion or their campsites for evening reflection, worship, or small-group discussions.
Q: What’s included in group catering options?
A: You can choose from full-service meal plans or à la carte options like daily breakfast or lunch delivery.
Q: What ages can participate at Wildman Resort?
A: There are adventure options for kids as young as 5. Some adventures have an age minimum of 12 years old.
Q: Can we plan a day-trip with no lodging?
A: Yes! If you’re on a tight schedule, we can help you plan an adventure-packed day trip. Groups have the best experience when lodging on-site for multiple days, but we’re here to plan the best trip based on your group’s time frame.
📍 Plan Your Adventure-Based Youth Group Retreat
Whether you’re organizing a confirmation retreat, a youth group getaway, or a multi-church adventure, Wildman offers the perfect mix of challenge, connection, and fun.
From high ropes to riverside campfires, your group will come home stronger—together.
📩 Request your Planning Guide →
🗓️ Already know what you’re looking for? Contact us for pricing and date availability.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐We had the absolute best time with a group of middle school students! Incredibly patient and knowledgeable and supportive staff who made every minute of whitewater rafting and zip lining a blast! Thank you Wildman Resort. We’ll be back!!!
– Rebecca B, Youth Chaperone
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Each summer, I take 23 campers on our annual trip to Wildman, and it’s always an amazing experience. We participated in the Alpine Tower, rafted on the Peshtigo and Menominee rivers, and zip-lined, and stayed in the cabins. The staff and guides at Wildman were fantastic, helpful and encouraging. Our entire team had an amazing time and didn’t want to leave. We are excited to work with them again.
– Nicola S, Camp Director
Even if you’re just curious, we’re excited to help you explore what’s possible for your youth group! Shoot us an email, give us a ring, or fill out the “contact us” form above. We can’t wait to help you plan something unforgettable.