Eliot Chapel's traditional gathering at Bergfried is set for May 25 and 26.

Our family campout is held annually on Memorial Day Weekend and brings together all Eliot members and friends. You are welcome to come out for any part of the weekend whether you plan to camp or not. There is plenty of hiking, relaxing, and connection to enjoy!

On Saturday, we'll have guided hikes on both the North and South sides of Bergfried, with overlooks on the Gasconade and Missouri Rivers (where Lewis and Clark stopped overnight and came ashore to get water during their first expedition).


We'll be able to visit historical cemeteries and enjoy the woodlands and the natural world around us! For those interested in sustainable forestry, we can give an overview - with real life examples from our work at Bergfried - of good forestry management that Eliot Chapel has maintained through the last half-century.

And, Rev Krista will join us for the Saturday afternoon and evening celebrations and traditional bonfire, and she will camp overnight with us and then give our service on Sunday morning. Rev. Krista's sermon topic will be “Layers of Stone. Layers of Living.” She's invited everyone to bring a percussion instrument: something to bang on or shake for an audio collage that the congregation will create together during the service. Bring a real set of bongos, put some beans in an upcycled yogurt cup, or find a good stick in the woods! Just make some noise!


After the service, we will have a hot dog and hamburger feast, with potluck contributions as well.

Bergfried is fully equipped for camping with many picnic tables around the main meadow, a spacious pavilion for gatherings around a firepit, a two-room outhouse so spectacularly clean and well-lighted and ventilated that we call it the 'cystern chapel,' and two bunkhouses for those who would prefer a mattress (but no electricity or running water). Car campers and tent campers will find plenty of good locations!


For those needing more in the way of modern comforts, we have a cottage with running water, indoor plumbing, a full kitchen, and HVAC - with three beds plus a couch, and several camp mattresses that we put in the screened-in porch.


Please let us know you'll be joining us at Bergfried for this celebration using this form. If you have questions, you can email us at bergfriedinfo@eliotchapel.org. We'd like to know what parts of the weekend you would like to join us, and if you're staying overnight, whether you'll camp, use a bunkhouse, or would like to stay in the cottage. See you soon!

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