Rustic Falls Nature Camp

01/20/2025

We want to take a moment to sincerely thank everyone who joined us last Thursday for our fundraiser in support of Rustic Falls. This sold out event was filled with an incredible outpouring of love and support, and we can’t thank you enough for being part of it. We are truly grateful to have such kind and generous people by our side as we continue writing the next chapter of Rustic Falls.

As we look ahead, we hope you’ll continue to follow along and be part of this exciting journey with us!

01/08/2025

Today we had the pleasure of hosting the wonderful youth team from for a day of connection, and community at the camp. We kicked things off with a dumpling-making workshop, followed by a shared meal filled with laughter and stories.

Our partnership with RefugeeOne began back in 2012, and reminiscing about the memories we’ve created together over the years was such a highlight. Some of the kids who visited with RefugeeOne over a decade ago are now thriving young adults in their mid-20s—no longer children new to the United States, but artists and creators, building lives and writing stories all their own. Hearing from the RefugeeOne team about how much their kids still talk about camp year-round truly warmed our hearts.

Thank you to for hosting their staff retreat with us here at the camp. Here’s to many more years of friendship, growth, and shared experiences!

01/06/2025

New event announcement! Join us on Thursday, January 16th in Chicago’s Bucktown Neighborhood- where we will be hosting a night to benefit Rustic Falls Nature Camp. Link in bio for more information and to grab your tickets today!

01/03/2025

The magic of the holiday season truly came alive this December at Rustic Falls, where Star and her lovely family brought an extra sprinkle of joy. Just as they arrived at the cobblestone, a snowfall blanketed the grounds, setting the scene for a weekend straight out of a Christmas storybook. From sledding adventures and cookie decorating to festive arts and crafts, every moment was filled with holiday cheer. The girls’ eyes lit up during pony rides in Lake Geneva, and the highlight? A special visit from Santa Claus himself! These weekends are all about creating memories and the kind of magic that lingers long after the snow melts. Thank you to for partnering with us to make this happen 🎄❤️

12/30/2024

New event announcement! Join us on Thursday, January 16th at Lotties Pub in Chicago's Bucktown Neighborhood- where we will be hosting a night to benefit Rustic Falls Nature Camp. Follow the link for more information and to grab your tickets today!

a night out benefiting Rustic Falls Nature Camp

12/18/2024

Tis the season for weekend getaways spent having fun and staying cozy by the fire in the cobblestone house. Last weekend we partnered with our friends at Refugee One to provide Ahmed, Miriam, Abdulrahma, Nawal and their moms with a weekend trip to Rustic Falls. Santa delivered some holiday magic a little early this year, sending gifts for everyone to open up underneath the glow of the Christmas tree. These trips are all about having fun and creating memories with friends and family that our visitors carry with them long after they head home.

12/04/2024

Planting the seeds for a colorful tomorrow 🌷This November we planted over 500 daffodil bulbs and 1,500 tulip bulbs on the grounds of Rustic Falls. Next May we have plans to host our first Tulip Art Festival at the camp. Stay tuned for more information and dates!

12/03/2024

Why Rustic Falls? We believe in the magic of Rustic Falls, but don't just take our word for it! Here are a few of our favorite quotes from our partners. As we move to the future, we have a plan to grow our reach, enhance our programming, and ensure the sustainability of this special place. We’ll need your help to do all of that. As you consider your year-end giving, please make a gift to Rustic Falls Nature Camp.

follow the link to donate today: rusticfalls.org/donate

12/02/2024

Our hearts are full after an unforgettable weekend at Rustic Falls with Alejandra and her amazing family. Thanks to our partnership with , we had the honor of hosting this lovely family for a long weekend of memory-making.

This was the first time the entire family could gather in two years, and later this month, Alejandra will ring the bell at the hospital to celebrate the end of her chemo treatment. SO much to celebrate, and we’re beyond grateful to have been part of this special milestone ❤️

11/25/2024

The best part about Rustic Falls is the people we get to meet along the way. We had the best meeting with Sonja and Erik this morning from .s.forestservice
We were able to show them around the camp and brainstorm ideas on how to further our partnership.

We are grateful that our amazing fundraising consultant Morgan was able to be there too. With over 25 years of extensive nonprofit experience in Chicago, Morgan has a proven track record in strategic leadership, authentic relationship building, and driving significant revenue growth. We are in the beginning phases of working with Morgan and we couldn’t be more excited about what we are going to be able to accomplish with her insight and expertise.

With lots of ideas and incredible people along side us to make them a reality: the future is looking bright for Rustic Falls ☀️

11/25/2024

A note from Rustic Falls Nature Camp founder, Deanna Hallagan, reflecting on another year at the camp.

The story of Rustic Falls is one of resilience and the incredible things people can achieve when a community comes together. Our camp has served over 10,000 children and families since its founding. As we move to the future, we have a plan to grow our reach, enhance our programming, and ensure the sustainability of this special place. We’ll need your help to do all of that. As you consider your year-end giving, please make a gift to Rustic Falls Nature Camp.

We appreciate you always for following along with us on this journey.

November, 2024 Dear Friends, I'm reflecting on the exciting journey we’ve been on together since I wrote to you in June, when I shared my decision to lead Rustic Falls Nature Camp full-time. Eric and I founded Rustic Falls in 2010 with the idea of creating a safe space in nature that is a beacon o

11/11/2024

October was a busy month at Rustic Falls. Check out some of our favorite moments here!

check out what we have been up to this month at Rustic Falls

11/07/2024

Twice a year (for the last ten years!) we host a field trip with the 2nd graders from Magee Elementary School. Students spend the day planting tulips, running the trails and enjoying the day with their classmates in nature. Here are a few of our favorite pictures from this years October visit.

If you are ever at the camp in the spring and notice a rouge, very randomly planted tulip springing out of the grass, just know that our flower planters are 7-8 year olds. We think it adds to the charm of the camp and it always makes us smile 😃

10/28/2024

A tradition that feels so familiar yet so new every time with . A weekend day with as many pieces of candy as there were moments of laughter, our cups are so full this past Saturday. Each year, this day always brings the camp fully to life through moments with families and created memories among newly formed friendships. We are so deeply grateful this partnership being almost as long running as the camp itself and the created memories each year. ✨

10/16/2024

Another perfect fall day with our friends from Niles West and NTDSE. This is our 9th annual visit with this group. Stepping beyond the classroom walls, students and teachers are able to explore the beauty of nature and connect with the world around them. These moments in the outdoors foster growth, confidence, and a deeper sense of community 🌳

10/15/2024

What a special day Saturday was at the Rustic Fair! A day that reminds us what the camp is all about - bringing community together in a shared outdoor space. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the camp, Rustic Falls would not exist if it wasn’t for the consistent love and support by community each year 🩷 A day that allows us all to experience the love and light that is the camp and reaffirm all the reason why it was created. Our cups are so full as we look forward to continuing to grow the camp with you all ✨

10/11/2024

What a special day Saturday was with Visual Arts department with over 120 students and teachers. A day to connect as a community beyond the walls of school outside in nature. It’s amazing to see students bring their creativity to life with our annual painting contest (now on display at ChiArts). A picture perfect day of community building, a campfire, art-making and a scavenger hunt is definitely a day for the books ✨ 🌞

10/10/2024

This Saturday is our 12th annual Rustic Fair at Rustic Falls Nature Camp. Throwing it back today with some of our favorite pictures of Fair’s past. This has always been one of our favorite days here at the camp. Don’t miss out on the fun! Grab your tickets today via the link in our bio!