Michigan Humanists

Learn more about the international Skeptics in the Pub movement at skepticsinthepub.org. (We don’t invite speakers, but rather follow our conversations wherever they take us. For a more structured discussion, look for Café Inquiry events on our calendar.)

This event is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated, but not expected.

Don’t drink? That’s okay! Many famous skeptics were teetotalers, and there is no problem with that.

Drinking skeptically means drinking responsibly. Science teaches us what alcohol does to the human body.

You will find the group at a table with little Michigan Humanists table signs.

Skeptics in the Pub (Muskegon) meets each month on the second Thursday.

Contact: Frank Crownover, frankob5@comcast.net, 617-645-0713

***

Michigan Humanists values the participation of all guests — requests for reasonable accommodation may be made by contacting the event host at least three days prior to the event.

Michigan Humanists expects all guests to engage in respectful discussion. Please visit the Michigan Humanist Culture and Expectations page for more information. Speak to the event host or contact info@michiganhumanists.org if you feel these expectations are being violated.

Events are made possible by your financial support. Michigan Humanists is a 501(c)3 non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible as provided by law. Donations to Michigan Humanists can be made at https://www.michiganhumanists.org/donate/

***

Do not worry if you are the only person listed as attending on Meetup. We promote events on several platforms, and we do not require RSVPs. There will be others there!

Long Lake Outdoor Center
10370 Gun Lake Rd
Middleville, MI United States
Get Directions

2025 SECULAR SUMMER RETREAT!

REGISTRATION CLOSES SUNDAY, July 6th!

Visit this link to register.

Following registration you will receive an email with a link to a form that you MUST complete to let us know about your lodging, volunteer, and dietary preferences.

Explore the historic campground with fellow Michigan Humanists, friends and family and enjoy the beauty of the Michigan summer.
The retreat is fun for all ages, and is both kid and adult friendly. Enjoy delicious food prepared onsite by Michigan Humanists members, group discussions, kayaking and canoeing, swimming, group games/sports, arts and crafts (let's make a journal together!), science activities, board gaming, and scenic hiking and biking. End the day with smores around the bonfire along the shores of beautiful Long Lake. Wait, we’re not done yet! Head on up to the lodge and join in some late night tabletop gaming or a friendly game (or 10) of euchre.

The Long Lake Outdoor Center is located inside the Yankee Springs Recreation Area (near Hastings, MI). It offers historic cabins and large dining hall/lodge with giant fireplaces, a craft house and sports fields, among acres of beautiful forest, with boat access to Long Lake, and access to the Yankee Springs trails right from camp.

Registration includes meals, private and group cabins, hiking, canoeing, swimming, activities.

Michigan Humanists Members receive a $10 per person discount on retreat tickets. Become a member of Michigan Humanists for as little as $10 a month. Become a member here!

2025 Registration Prices
Saturday Only:
Adult (Member) $40
Student/Child (Member) $30
Adult (Non-member) $45
Student Child (Non-member) $35

Full Weekend:
Adult (Member) $95
Student/Child under 18 (Member) $80
Adult (Non-member) $105
Student Child under 18 (Non-member) $80

If cost is a concern, we have financial assistance is available, and will work out a reduced cost that is affordable for you: Email us to learn more. (info@michiganhumanists.org)

Housing Options
There are a variety of large group-style cabins that sleep 8-20 people, and smaller cabins that sleep 4-6 people.

You will select your housing preferences during registration. Cabins are assigned based on registration order – register early to get your first choice!

Note: Lake cabins are the farthest away from the dining hall and bathhouse.

Cabin List:
Mansion House: sleeps 20, two bedrooms and a central lounge – Group
Road House: sleeps 12, two bedrooms and a central lounge – Group
Stage House: sleeps 8 – Group
Hill Cabins: sleeps 4-6/Private (9 units available )
Lake Cabins: sleeps 4-6/Private (8 units available)

Bed Layout: All cabins have twin beds or bunk beds with a mattress. Attendees are responsible for bringing their own pillow, bedding or sleeping bag.

Volunteer Requirement:
In order to make the Retreat a success, and keep costs low, we ask that each person volunteer before or during the retreat to distribute the workload so everyone can enjoy the retreat.

Please Note: We request that you prioritize clean-up options – we mostly food prep before the retreat so prep will be light but clean-up will be needed. Thank you!

There is a section on the attendee details form at online registration for you to note your volunteer preferences for the retreat. Thank you in advance for your help!

***This month’s special Café Inquiry will meet at the SECULAR SUMMER RETREAT on SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2025***
You can join us just for Café Inquiry (no entry fee for the meeting only) or you can join us for the day! Get your Saturday Day Pass for the Secular Summer Retreat here.
There’s been a lot of news lately about de-extinction – mammoths, dire wolves, and what have you. Back at the turn of the century, measles was extinct in the United States; but thanks to the tireless efforts of antivaxxers and other purveyors of misinformation, it’s back!!! Yay? No. At our special Café Inquiry at the Retreat we’re going to take an in depth, science-based look at measles – symptoms, transmissibility, complications, treatment, and how to prevent it (hint – it’s NOT by taking Vitamin A). We’ll post some links to background materials here before the event. Hope you can make it to this year’s Secular Summer Retreat! See you there!
Note – This will be the only in person Café Inquiry event for July. We will not be meeting on July 13.
Café Inquiry starts with a short introduction of the day’s topic, followed by casual discussion.

Café Inquiry IN PERSON You will find more information about the topic of discussion here a few days before the meeting. Hope to see you there!

This event is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated, but not expected.

Attendees are able to future propose topics which would align with Michigan Humanist’s purpose: from atheism, agnosticism, humanism, secularism, and freethinking to broader subjects in science and humanities, such as religion, philosophy, social issues, politics, evolution, morality, ethics, and psychology.

Parking information – Street parking, if you can find it, is free on Sunday. The nearby GRCC Parking structure is free until 3 PM on Sunday, although this is not advertised. You will need to take a ticket to enter the structure but the exit gate will be open if you leave before 3 PM. Parking is also available free for up to 2 hours in the Public Library lot for patrons. You will need to have your ticket validated in the library. If walking for any distance is a problem for you, please contact us and we’ll see what can be arranged.

Café Inquiry (Grand Rapids) meets each month IN PERSON on the second Sunday and ONLINE on the fourth Sunday.

Contact: Frank Crownover or Jessica Wolin, cafeinquiry-grandrapids@michiganhumanists.org, (617) 645-0713

—

Michigan Humanists values the participation of all guests — requests for reasonable accommodation may be made by contacting the event host at least three days prior to the event.

Michigan Humanists expects all guests to engage in respectful discussion. Please visit the Michigan Humanist Culture and Expectations page for more information. Speak to the event host or contact info@michiganhumanists.org if you feel these expectations are being violated.

Events are made possible by your financial support. Michigan Humanists is a 501(c)3 non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible as provided by law. Donations to Michigan Humanists can be made at https://www.michiganhumanists.org/donate/

—

Do not worry if you are the only person listed as attending on Meetup. We promote events on several platforms, and we do not require RSVPs. There will be others there!

You can join us just for Café Inquiry (no entry fee for the meeting only) or you can join us for the day! Get your Saturday Day Pass for the Secular Summer Retreat here.
There’s been a lot of news lately about de-extinction – mammoths, dire wolves, and what have you. Back at the turn of the century, measles was extinct in the United States; but thanks to the tireless efforts of antivaxxers and other purveyors of misinformation, it’s back!!! Yay? No. At our special Café Inquiry at the Retreat we’re going to take an in depth, science-based look at measles – symptoms, transmissibility, complications, treatment, and how to prevent it (hint – it’s NOT by taking Vitamin A). We’ll post some links to background materials here before the event. Hope you can make it to this year’s Secular Summer Retreat! See you there!
Note – This will be the only in person Café Inquiry event for July. We will not be meeting on July 13.
Café Inquiry starts with a short introduction of the day’s topic, followed by casual discussion.
Café Inquiry starts with a short introduction of the day’s topic, followed by casual discussion.

This event is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated, but not expected.

Attendees are able to future propose topics which would align with Michigan Humanist’s purpose: from atheism, agnosticism, humanism, secularism, and freethinking to broader subjects in science and humanities, such as religion, philosophy, social issues, politics, evolution, morality, ethics, and psychology.

Parking information – Street parking, if you can find it, is free on Sunday. The nearby GRCC Parking structure is free until 3 PM on Sunday, although this is not advertised. You will need to take a ticket to enter the structure but the exit gate will be open if you leave before 3 PM. Parking is also available free for up to 2 hours in the Public Library lot for patrons. You will need to have your ticket validated in the library. If walking for any distance is a problem for you, please contact us and we’ll see what can be arranged.
Café Inquiry (Grand Rapids) meets each month IN PERSON on the second Sunday and ONLINE on the fourth Sunday.