Booth Lodge

Hello, fellow Illinoisans! If you’re searching for a remarkable location that offers both comfortable lodging and a serene natural setting for group events, retreats, or even a unique camping-like experience, then Booth Lodge in Chatham, Illinois, deserves your attention. For those of us who appreciate the diverse landscapes and community spirit of our state, Booth Lodge, as part of the larger Three Trails Camp & Retreat Center, represents a valuable resource right in our own backyard. It's a place where groups, particularly those like the Boy Scouts of America, have found a beautiful and functional environment for their activities.

We understand that when planning group outings, be it for youth organizations, family reunions, or corporate retreats, finding a facility that balances functionality with a pleasant atmosphere is key. This article is designed to provide you with a clear, engaging, and informative overview of Booth Lodge, highlighting what makes it an ideal choice for various gatherings in Illinois. From its convenient location near Springfield to the specific amenities and features it offers, you'll discover why this facility is so highly regarded. Prepare to explore a venue that promises to make your next group event both comfortable and memorable in the heart of Illinois.

Booth Lodge is located at 6610 Iron Bridge Rd, Chatham, IL 62629, USA. While the general address is listed as Chatham, IL, it's more specifically part of the larger Three Trails Camp & Retreat Center, which also incorporates Camp Illinek. This strategic location places it conveniently between the capital city of Springfield and the charming community of Chatham, making it highly accessible for visitors from across Illinois.

The accessibility of Booth Lodge is a significant advantage for Illinois residents. Its proximity to major roadways ensures a relatively easy drive from various parts of the state. For those traveling from Chicago or other northern regions, access via Interstate 55 is straightforward, leading directly to the Springfield area. From St. Louis and southern Illinois, I-55 also provides direct access. Once in the vicinity of Springfield and Chatham, navigating to Iron Bridge Road is simple, leading you directly to the Three Trails Camp & Retreat Center property. This ease of access makes it an ideal location for state-wide events, minimizing travel time and maximizing the time spent enjoying the facilities and activities. The fact that it's a well-established camp and retreat center also suggests clear signage and well-maintained access roads once you arrive on the property, further enhancing its accessibility for groups and individuals alike.

Services Offered:

• Dorm-Style Lodging: Booth Lodge provides dorm-style accommodation, with each room designed to sleep up to three people. This setup is ideal for groups and offers a communal living experience.
• Community Bathrooms: The lodge features community bathrooms located down the hall from the dorm rooms, providing essential facilities for all guests.
• Comfortable Lounge and Sitting Area: Guests have access to a comfortable lounge and sitting area within Booth Lodge, offering a space for relaxation, informal meetings, or social interaction.
• Attached Oak Room: Booth Lodge often rents in conjunction with the Oak Room, a large meeting space. This provides a versatile area for various activities and events.
• Full-Size Kitchen (with Oak Room rental): When rented with the Oak Room, a full-size kitchen is included, equipped to support catering or self-prepared meals for large groups.
• Meeting Space Configurations: The Oak Room can be configured in various ways, including table seating (e.g., 6 round tables and 48 chairs), seating only (up to 100 chairs), or a combination thereof, providing flexibility for different event needs.
• Additional Tables/Chairs: Up to 10 round tables and 80 chairs can be requested without additional charges in the Oak Room. More can be requested for a small fee (maximum 12 tables and 96 chairs).
• Waste Disposal: A dumpster is conveniently located by Booth Lodge for trash disposal, ensuring cleanliness and ease of waste management for groups.
• Check-in/Check-out Procedures: Clear procedures are in place for check-in and check-out, with group leaders required to check in with the Camp Caretaker upon arrival.

Features / Highlights:

• Beautiful Place: Customer reviews consistently describe Booth Lodge and its surroundings as a "beautiful place," highlighting the aesthetic appeal of the facility and its natural setting.
• Host of BSA Events: Booth Lodge is a popular venue for many Boy Scouts of America (BSA) events, indicating its suitability for youth groups and its capacity to handle organized activities. This suggests a history of successful group hosting.
• Part of Three Trails Camp & Retreat Center: Booth Lodge is an integral part of the larger Three Trails Camp & Retreat Center, which has a long history, established in 1924 by The Salvation Army. This affiliation provides a robust infrastructure and experienced management.
• Versatile Meeting Spaces: The combination of dorm-style lodging in Booth Lodge and the large, configurable Oak Room makes it highly versatile for various types of events, from overnight retreats to day-long conferences.
• Capacity for Large Groups: With Booth Lodge sleeping up to 42 people and the Oak Room accommodating up to 100 for meetings, the facility is well-suited for medium to large group gatherings.
• Established History: As part of a camp established in 1924, the site has a rich history of providing a safe and engaging environment for guests to learn and grow, particularly in an outdoor context.
• Serene Environment: Despite its capacity for groups, the overall atmosphere, typical of a retreat center, is conducive to a peaceful and focused environment, away from everyday distractions.
• Proximity to Natural Areas: Being part of a larger camp, it likely offers access to various outdoor elements such as open spaces, potentially wooded areas, and other natural features typical of a camp setting, complementing the indoor facilities.
• On-site Support: The requirement for group leaders to check in with a Camp Caretaker indicates on-site support and assistance for groups during their stay.

Contact Information:

Address: 6610 Iron Bridge Rd, Chatham, IL 62629, USA

While a general contact number for Booth Lodge specifically isn't provided directly in all public listings, it operates under the umbrella of the Three Trails Camp & Retreat Center (formerly Camp Illinek).

For inquiries, reservations, or more detailed information about Booth Lodge and the Oak Room, it is best to contact the Three Trails Camp & Retreat Center directly. The Abraham Lincoln Council of the Boy Scouts of America often manages reservations for their facilities, including Booth Lodge.

• General inquiries/reservations: (217) 529-2727 (This number has been associated with Camp Illinek / Abraham Lincoln Council events)
• For specific event or booking details, it is highly recommended to visit the official website of the Three Trails Camp & Retreat Center (threetrailscamp.org) or the Abraham Lincoln Council, BSA, as their websites will have the most current contact methods and booking procedures for Booth Lodge and the Oak Room.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For Illinois residents, Booth Lodge, as part of the Three Trails Camp & Retreat Center in Chatham, presents an exceptionally suitable venue for a wide range of group activities, retreats, and events. What makes it particularly ideal for locals is its unique combination of functional, dorm-style lodging and versatile meeting spaces within a "beautiful" and serene natural setting, all conveniently located in the heart of our state.

We Illinoisans understand the need for reliable and accommodating venues for our community groups, youth organizations, and family gatherings. Booth Lodge perfectly meets this demand with its capacity to sleep up to 42 people and the expansive Oak Room capable of hosting up to 100 for meetings. This makes it an excellent choice for everything from Boy Scouts of America events, which it frequently hosts, to church retreats, educational workshops, or large family reunions. The inclusion of a full-size kitchen when renting the Oak Room significantly enhances its appeal for groups that prefer self-catering or have specific dietary needs, providing a cost-effective and flexible solution.

Its central location between Springfield and Chatham, with easy access to major interstates, is another major advantage for Illinoisans. This convenient accessibility means less travel time for participants coming from various corners of the state, ensuring that more time can be dedicated to the event itself rather than logistical challenges. The "beautiful place" aesthetic, combined with a comfortable lounge area within the lodge, fosters an environment conducive to both productive sessions and relaxed socializing.

Furthermore, as part of a long-established camp and retreat center with a history dating back to 1924, Booth Lodge benefits from experienced management and a well-maintained property. This provides peace of mind for organizers, knowing their event is in capable hands. For any Illinois group or organization seeking a well-equipped, welcoming, and conveniently located venue that truly feels like a retreat, Booth Lodge offers a prime opportunity to create memorable experiences in our home state.

Booth Lodge

Chatham, IL 62629, USA