A retreat just minutes from downtown Muscatine
MUSCATINE, Iowa — Valley Lodge is a new multi-million dollar retreat and event facility located just northeast of Muscatine. The lodge hosts wedding, graduation and anniversary receptions as well as retreats, reunions and conferences. With events booked every weekend this fall, Valley Lodge is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after venues in the area.
The lodge features a reception area and banquet room that can accommodate up to 200 guests. The banquet area has a floor to ceiling stone fireplace and overlooks a two-acre pond. Eight dorm rooms on the lower floor sleep 12 guests each, with private baths for each room. Three more guest rooms on the main floor have queen-sized beds and private baths. A full enclosed kitchen is available, along with an optional meal plan provided by the camp.
The lodge, which sits on the grounds of Spring Valley Bible Camp, was birthed back in 2005 in the minds of the camp board members. Ted Colschen of Albia, Iowa, was the director of SVBC at the time and was able to begin the building process using his previous construction experience. Over the next several years, the lodge was built almost completely by Colschen and a plethora of volunteer labor, with a few jobs hired out to other contractors. The camp raised the money for each new building phase, and the lodge was finished in 2011, entirely funded by donations.
Gary Schrock and his wife Joy of Muscatine hosted their son's high school graduation party for almost 200 people at Valley Lodge, and also a family reunion for more than 40 relatives. Schrock said about the reunion, "The lodge gave us lots of room for the children to play, for the adults to sit and talk over a cup of coffee or to join in the many table games that were going on throughout the day. The entire family really enjoyed the space and all agreed that it is a perfect place for family gatherings."
Ginger Kebler of Rock Island, Ill., and Kathy Grosjean of Muscatine will be hosting a fully-booked sewing retreat at the lodge in October, sponsored by Neal's Vacuum and Sewing Center in Muscatine. This is the third retreat they have held at the lodge. "The facility is beyond perfect," Kebler said. "We can be there under one roof; we can sleep there; we eat there; we sew or do whatever it is we're doing. ... No one has to leave the building. ... And of course what every woman loves is having someone else do all the cooking and the cleaning!"
After Colschen retired in 2012, Danny Durocher moved from Manchester, Iowa, along with his wife Stephanie and their five children, to direct the camp and manage Valley Lodge. He says people often comment on the cleanliness of the lodge and the views of the pond and woods. He also says people appreciate being outside and the activities available to renters such as disc golf, mini golf, sand volleyball, basketball and paddle boats. “Many people comment that they do not even know that this facility exists,” said Durocher. “It has been said that it is like a hidden gem in Muscatine…”
Valley Lodge is located at 2858 180th St, Muscatine, between Highways 38 and 61. Visit http://www.springvalleycamp.org/valley-lodge-retreat-center for more information and photos of Valley Lodge. For availability and rates call the camp office at 563-263-6025 or email spvalcmp@muscanet.com.
Reported by: Muscatine Journal
