Weddings and Special Events

The 2025 Camp Pinewood Weekend Rental Package — $12,500  
Includes: 

• Use of YMCA Camp Pinewood from Friday at 3 p.m. through Sunday at 11 a.m.  
• Butler Lodge with tables and seating for up to 160 guests and use of a prep kitchen for approved vendors 
• Overnight lodging in Cedar Creek Lodge (up to 12 people) and Oak Cabin (up to 12 people) for two nights  
• Ceremony site options, including a lakefront amphitheater or Pinewood meadows field 
• Pre-event visit with camp staff to finalize details for the day, tour, review the agreement, and plan your perfect day 
• On-site support from camp staff for the duration of your event 
• Set up and use of tables and chairs  
• Access to a simple approved vendors list 
• Access to sports field, sand volleyball court, and hiking trails 

Optional additions for YMCA Camp Pinewood include: 

• Additional cabins and lodges available for rent for overnight guests 
• Camp activities, facilitated by our trained instructors with advance reservation (charged per hour, with minimums)  
• Early arrival or late departures when available for an additional fee 
• Additional Camp Staff Help: Pricing available upon request (please note that no additional staff will be provided unless stated in Rental Agreement)  
• Lawn Games and simple audio equipment available for rental fee 
• Optional snacks, breakfast, and lunches with advance reservation 
• A hands-free campfire experience — service includes having the campfire built, lit, and wood stock provided with advanced noticed 

Additional rental options are available for pricing upon request: 

• Single-day use facility rental for 8 a.m. to 12 a.m.  
• Advance Wedding Photo Shoot Day use  
• Weekday Wedding discounted rates 

Included in ALL rentals of Butler Lodge: 

• Use of the tables and chairs that we have available (table inventory provided below) 
• After the event, Camp Pinewood staff will put away our facility’s tables and chairs. 

The renter is responsible for: 

• Set up of tables and chairs for your event 
• All table coverings, centerpieces, additional rented tables, chairs, etc. 
• Installing and removing decorations — during installation of decorations, you may NOT use fasteners that puncture surfaces (nails, tacks, pushpins, and staples) or that otherwise damage the walls, rails, posts, ceiling beams floors, deck, etc.   
  • If staff must remove any part of the decorations or repair any damage, the cost will be added to your final invoice for the event. 
• Retrieving ALL camp equipment that has been moved from the place the renter found it 
• Relocating ALL rented or personal equipment or accessories to a designated area for pickup at a later time 

Our dining hall can seat up to 160 at round tables.  Some caterers recommend 120 or less to allow room for their servers. 

Camp Pinewood does not provide tents.  Tents are available from rental companies in Grand Haven, Holland, and Grand Rapids. Please see our vendor list for companies that work with us regularly.

Many of our renters have held their ceremonies at our amphitheater overlooking Lake Echo.  Our amphitheater will accommodate 160 seated guests and is handicapped accessible.   

Weddings on the beach lend themselves to some logistical challenges for equipment and people attending, but we do not object if done in a manner that does not to disturb our neighbors or the natural landscape.  

Camp Pinewood is open to other unique ceremony sites at our property depending on group size.

No. Our renters may use the caterer of their choice.  Camp Pinewood does REQUIRE that whoever you select must adhere to our policies and leave the kitchen in “as you found it” condition, including leaving all kitchen supplies where they found them.   

Camp Pinewood has a list of preferred caterers who have catered events and wish to return. Caterers must provide Camp Pinewood with a Certificate of Insurance naming YMCA of Metro Chicago. 

We will “pencil” you in for a date on the day you request a rental agreement for a specific date.  We will hold that date for two weeks. If we do NOT receive a signed rental agreement with a deposit (25%) within that timeframe, the date will once again be made available for rental. We will NOT contact you prior to renting to someone else after that deadline has passed.

All deposits are NON-refundable regardless of when you cancel or if you cancel only part of your rental period.  With your signed agreement, we commit our facility to you in good faith for the entire rental period and turn other potential renters for that date away.   

Since we rely upon income from each rental to enable Camp Pinewood to provide year-round programs for families, we must insist you honor your commitment.  Please verify your plans before signing your contract and sending in your deposit.

No, your deposit cannot be transferred to another timeframe.

The additional cleaning charges are invoiced for any unusual expenses incurred by Camp Pinewood during the event rental period. Charges for cleaning that exceed the usual charges will be deducted before the deposit is returned.  

Unusual cleaning expenses include but are not limited to:  

• Removal of decorations 
• Kitchen cleaning not done by the caterer 
• Repairs to the building attributed to the renter or renter’s guests 
• Cleaning of the beach or other outdoor areas 
• Delays caused by the renter that delay the start of the cleaning crew after the event 

Your contract will have a wedding package amount. A non-refundable deposit is due at that time to hold the date. Six months prior to your rental an additional 30% is due. Payment-in-full of the set wedding package must be RECEIVED by the date defined in the rental agreement, usually 14 days prior to the event.  

Overnight lodging, activities, cleaning charges, or other additional charges will be added to a final invoice and are due 30 days after the rental.  

The Butler Lodge and lodging facilities are SMOKE FREE. Smoking within 25 feet of Butler Lodge or any other structure on the property is prohibited. Smoking on the property away from the building is permitted.  

Responsible disposal of cigarette butts is required by Camp Pinewood. The removal and cleanup of butts by staff may incur an additional cleaning charge on the final invoice.   

Yes. Renters may serve alcohol during their event at Camp Pinewood. However, an additional alcohol liability insurance policy is required in addition to regular liability insurance.  

Alcohol must be served by a certified bartender. If your caterer or bartending service has a liquor license and serves alcohol, they will usually also provide liquor liability coverage.   

Camp Pinewood requires responsible consumption of alcohol and expects the renter to monitor guest behavior.

Liability insurance is required for your event and is sometimes available through the renter’s homeowner policy at no charge or for a reduced fee.  There are “event” insurers that offer a wider variety of insurance options, including liquor liability coverage. 

Due to our busy Camp and Rental schedule, Camp Pinewood REQUIRES that you schedule a Site Visit with one of our staff members. We do so to provide you with the appropriate rental information and to maintain safety to our camp program and privacy to our existing rentals.  

Appointments are REQUIRED to ensure that someone will be available to provide admittance, give you a short tour, and answer questions. Contact Camp Pinewood to schedule a site visit.  

Included in your rental is the use of the tables found in Camp Butler Lodge.  The number and size of the tables is listed below: 

• 72” diameter round tables — 12 each       
• 30” x 72” rectangular tables — 12 each   
• 12’ rectangle tables with attached benches — 12 each 
• Brown Resin Hercules style chairs — 160 

Wi-Fi is available at Butler Lodge but is limited around camp. 

The Standard weekend package is Friday at 3 p.m. to Sunday at 11 a.m. Additional time can be added for a fee. Single day packages are 8 a.m. to 12 a.m.  

Yes, Camp Pinewood has a 220V outlet for food trucks to connect to right outside Butler Lodge. 

YMCA Camp Pinewood will provide you, upon inquiry, with a list of approved vendors. These vendors have been vetted through the YMCA of Metro Chicago, know our facilities, and have appropriate insurance on file. If you would like to have a vendor that is not on our approved vendor list, Camp Pinewood will require a Certificate of Insurance which must name YMCA of Metro Chicago for $2,000,000 and an agreement accepting our terms of partnership.