COURAGE TO GROW.
GRACE. TO HEAL.
Camp Courage is a restorative retreat for those in helping professions, offering time and tools to recover from burnout, empathy fatigue, and the daily weight of serving others.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. JOSHUA 1:9
Join a supportive environment where you can reflect, grow, and rediscover your calling with renewed courage.
Camp Courage is a restorative retreat designed for people in helping professions — those who carry the weight of others’ needs every day. Whether you’re facing burnout, empathy fatigue, or simply need space to reflect, Camp Courage provides time and tools to restore your strength and clarity.
WHY CAMP COURAGE?
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REFLECT
Take time to reflect on your challenges, reconnect with what drives you, and renew your sense of purpose in the work you’re called to do.
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COPE
Build lasting resilience and develop healthy coping practices that strengthen your well-being in both work and life.
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Connect
Connect with others who share your calling—people who understand the rewards and challenges of serving others—and find encouragement through shared experiences and genuine community.
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Refreshed
Leave Camp Courage feeling truly refreshed, renewed, and equipped with practical tools and insights to sustain your energy, passion, and effectiveness in serving others over the long term.
Camp Courage
A Field Manual
Order your own copy of the Camp Courage Field Manual today and begin your personal journey.
Camp Courage Options
Option 1
Three Day Retreats
Three Day retreats offer worship, four sessions on the pillars of the field manual, group activities, and time for reflection. Guidance and individual sessions will be available upon request. Location, lodging and meals will be determined by the group leaders. Reach out today to see if Camp Courage might be available for your group’s next retreat.
Option 2
One Day Retreats
One Day retreats offer introductions to the four main pillars in the field manual, brief chapel time, group activities and guidance for continuing healthy patterns beyond the retreat. Meals and settings will be determined together with the group leaders. Reach out to see how Camp Courage can be brought to your area.
Two Hour Presentations
Option 3
Presentations offer detailed discussion on the four main pillars in the field manual, time for questions and guidance for implementing the concepts in life. Settings for these presentations can be adapted to suit the needs of the asking group. Reach out today for a conversation about hosting a Camp Courage presentation for your group.
Option 4
Individual Counseling
Mike is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Wisconsin. He currently has open spaces for clients in person and by video for private counseling or life coaching. Reach out through this website to connect with Mike directly and see if a counseling session would be a good fit for you.
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
This is the second day of this convention at Fox Valley Lutheran High School in Appleton WI. Mike will be leading a discussion for ministry leaders based upon the four cabin concepts of Camp Courage. The concepts will be specifically applied to cross bearing and finding wellness in ministry life. https://www.nwd-wels.org
June 10 2026 Northern Wisconsin District WELS Convention “Joy Made Strong”
Mike will be presenting at Trinity these three days for their annual summer Bible Blitz week. We will be using the concepts of the Camp Courage Field Manual to assist participants in building a personal wellness plan for Christ-centered wellness and spiritual growth. https://www.trinityminocqua.org/
July 28-30 Trinity Lutheran Church Minocqua WI Bible blitz Week
Sept. 12/ 2026 “Rooted By the River”
Camp Courage is partnering with Christian Life Resources to offer and uplifting event for caregivers and family members walking alongside loved ones in later stages of life. Together we will share encouragement, faith-based insights, and practical wellness tools to help you care with strength and peace.
october 2-4 2026 Camp Phillip Wautoma WI Men’s Retreat
This is the second annual men’s retreat at Camp Phillip. Mike will be leading the participants throughout the whole weekend. Participants will be getting a copy of the Field Manual and gain the entire Camp Courage experience! https://www.campphillip.com/
October 15-16 2026 Minnesota WELS Teachers Conference
Camp Courage will be leading break out sessions for Christian teachers to assist them in learning faith-based resilient strategies for thriving in ministry life.
October 17 2026 Shepherd of the Hills West bend breakfast Event
Our friends at Shepherd of the Hills will be hosting a Camp Courage Breakfast. Particpants will exploring all four cabin topics of Camp Courage. Applications to marriage and family will be discussed. https://shepherdofthehillswi.com
October 24 2026 Men of His Word Rochester MN
Camp Courage will be offering two separate break out sessions during this Men of His Word Conference. The first will be the tools for Faith Based Mental Health. The second will of application for marriage and couples. https://www.menofhisword.org/rochester.html
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
MIKE HELWIG MDiv,LPC
Mike Helwig is a pastor with 27 years of ministry experience. He also spent over 5 years pursuing a masters degree and licensure in the mental health profession. He has experience in overcoming empathy burnout and addiction. For almost a decade Mike has been researching, designing and building the ideas that have led to Camp Courage. Mike has learned helpful principles for flourishing. Camp Courage explores four areas: Spiritual Strength, Mental & Emotional Wellness, Physical Health and Social Clarity.
“Mike provides the real life experiences and Bible truths needed to refocus all areas of your life. It gets you either started on your daily walk with God, or helps you get back to where you were walking with God and had slipped or stumbled on that walk.”
- Participant of a Camp Courage Event.
Mike also currently serves as assistant pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Sussex WI.
Contact Us
Have questions about Camp Courage or would like to say hello?
Please fill out the form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Mailing Address:
1256 Capitol Dr Ste 700 #325
Pewaukee, WI 53072
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