Established 1969

Bethel Horizons Foundation, Inc. came into existence in May of 1969 as it was incorporated in the State of Wisconsin as a 501 c 3 organization. The initial land purchase included a 280 acre farm of Marvin Halverson. In addition, 160 acres was purchased from Lester and Mildred Anderson resulting in a 440 acre campsite. In 1970, the board of directors entered into an agreement with a master planner, Harrison and Associates of Nevada, Iowa. Over a year’s time they produced a master plan for the 440 acres which has been followed to this day. One of the main provisions of this master plan was not to build permanent housing structures on the land east of the first valley. The master plan also suggested that the main site be concentrated at the Anderson farm site. This decision led to the tearing down of the Halverson farm in the valley in the early 1970’s. 

Alongside the beginning master plan, in May of 1971, the board also passed the following mission statement with objectives. The mission of Bethel Horizons Foundation, Inc. is to develop and perpetuate a physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual environment which will strengthen and enhance the understanding of man’s proper relation to nature, to oneself, to others, and to God. In keeping with this mission, the objectives of Bethel Horizons are:

1. To provide intimate and uncomplicated experiences with nature where emphasis is on learning, responsibility, enjoyment and perpetuation of the physical world which God has given us.
2. To provide opportunities to be alone in a place of natural beauty—to be quiet, to think, to dream and to have time for introspective contemplation.
3. To provide small group activities designed to encourage dialogue with, concern for, and understanding of ourselves and others – all within a setting dominated by nature and largely free of man-made frills.
4. To provide opportunities for formal or spontaneous Christian worship experiences.

Today, the programs of Bethel Horizons encompasses five major areas:

• Environmental Education
• Adventure Education
• Art Ventures
• Summer Programs
• Year-round Retreats

Adventure Education

The Adventure program grew out of a request from school groups in our area. Having come to Bethel Horizons for environmental education, a number of teachers encouraged us to consider building a high ropes course. Having been convinced of its value to school, community and church groups, our board voted to implement an adventure program. Today, the adventure program consists of teambuilding, high ropes, low ropes, climbing tower, rock climbing and rappelling and off-site caving.  The adventure program is housed in a small building off the main parking lot. The large field across the parking lot is used for team building. A large adventure pavilion in the pine forest serves as a rainy day space. The high ropes course, climbing tower, and low ropes are nestled next to the woods adjacent to the valley. There is a new shelter and a pit toilet at the Adventure site. This summer another Adventure element will be added in this area and a rainy day shelter will be constructed near the climbing tower.  Eric Borgwardt began to develop the adventure program in the early 1990’s.  Phil Bramley, our current Adventure Director, succeeded Eric in 2007. phil@bethelhorizons.org

Art Ventures

The genesis of the Art Ventures program began in the early 1980’s with Don Hunt (potter at West High School) offering pottery courses in our Barn Retreat Center. As class size grew, this program was moved to the picnic shelter in the Tent and Trailer grounds. The acquisition of the Appert farm opened up the possibility of making the farm site the headquarters for the Art Ventures program. Upon retirement from West High School, Don Hunt took on the task of creating a summer studio from an old storage shed in 2004. A large gift from the Scott Dickinson family enabled the summer studio to be equipped with new Bailey wheels as well as a gas kiln. A short time later an anagama kiln was constructed by Dr. David Smith from Edgewood College. Plans for the new Adamah ceramic studio was well underway when Don died in August of 2008. The Adamah ceramic studio was dedicated in June of 2009. Kathy Hunt served as Art Ventures Coordinator until January of 2011 when Krista Loomans joined the staff of Bethel Horizons. Our current Art Ventures Director, Jennifer Mally, succeeded Krista in 2013. artventures@bethelhorizons.org

Environmental Education

Environmental Education and naturalist programs have been a hallmark of the Bethel Horizon’s programs. Since the inception of Bethel Horizons, there have been offerings of Environmental Education for both children and adults throughout the year. In the early 1980’s, the board of directors began to realize the importance of a nature center in order to serve school groups throughout the year. Working with board member, Dr. Ruth Hine, a DNR Editor and Biologist, several years were spent researching nature centers in the upper Midwest. In 1988, we dedicated our Nature Center at our main site. It consists of an exhibit room, media room, classroom, animal care area, offices and restrooms. Over the years a number of trails have been developed by various naturalists of Bethel Horizons. Our first year-round naturalist was Mark Breseman, followed by Diane Dalton, Janine McNulty, Angela Borland and Eric Volden. For information on the current Environmental Education Program offerings, please call 608-257-3577 and ask for Linda or email bethelhorizons@bethelhorizons.org.