Backyard Adventures

Retreat 30 YEARS 34 Pike Publishing backyard adventures 2013 Hidden in the making By Andy Heuring Temple Hills is one of the best kept secrets in southern Indiana. It boasts 120 acres of wooded hills, with a 20 acre lake in a remote part of southern Pike County. It started more than 30 years ago when a family donated 80 acres to the Evansville Methodist Temple. Skip Borre, who is now the Director of the Camp for the Methodist Temple, said the church accepted the donation and decided it would be the perfect place for a retreat. If you are trying to get away from the hustle and bustle of the world, it is hard to get farther away without a helicopter or native guide to lead you. Temple Hills is located on CR 425 E., about four miles south of Highway 64 and about three miles west of Stendal. It is in a thick forest accessible only by a single lane rock road, that winds through the 120 acres. Whether you are in the campground or sleeping indoors at the retreat center, the only sounds of civilization you will hear is an occasional airplane passing over, if you happen to be in an area that doesn't have tree cover. As the Methodist Temple began to develop the camp, they built a retreat center. The center has a full kitchen, large meeting area and a huge fireplace. On each side of the large meeting area there are separate bunk rooms for men and women. Or as Borre said, during the men's retreat "one side for snorers and the other for liars." On the back of the center is a large screened-in porch with a concrete floor, another fireplace and ping pong tables. The porch looks out into the woods. Other features at the retreat center include a small outdoor worship center with benches, and fire pit and wooden cross. Also near the center is a sand volleyball court and playground equipment. The playground equipment is in the shade of trees. Centrally located between the retreat center and the campground is a large mowed field for base- ball, softball or any other large group activity. The campground is about a quarter of a mile away from the retreat center, set back off the main road, deep in the woods. It has 15 to 20 campsites that can accommodate RVs or tent camping. There is a concrete shower house and bathrooms. The campground has its own playground and shelter house. Students of Winslow Elementary School may recognize some of the playground equipment that was transplanted from the original playground at the school. It is augmented with new equipment. There is running water and electricity available in the campground as well. Borre said they recently installed new 30 amp services in the campgrounds. Another project in the works is installing new fire pits. Bill Powell, who is the caretaker, said he had been a frequent visitor of Temple Hills and then he and his wife moved nearby. He learned they were looking for a new caretaker, so he applied and was hired. The retreat also has a 20 acre lake with a beach for swimming and a dock for fishing. The lake is accessible by road or trails from the retreat center. Also, a hiking trail wraps its way around the lake. Some of the trails are marked with signs identifying various species of trees. Borre said when the church first got the property, they used it mostly for their congregation. They had a couple of men's retreats, youth retreats and other events at Temple Hills. But once they built the retreat center, they decided it needed to be used more than a few weeks a year. Now they rent it and the campgrounds at reasonable rates. The retreat center is $150 a night and campgrounds are $10 for tent camping, $20 for RV camping. Day use is $3 for walking on trails and fishing or $5 to swim. Reservations can be made by calling the Methodist Temple in Evansville at 812-476-1306 and ask to speak to Wendy Moore.

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