Michindoh Conference Center

A legacy gift to Spring Arbor University from the Orville D. and Ruth A. Merillat Foundation

On June 1, 2009, Spring Arbor University became the recipient of Michindoh Conference Center. This is the largest legacy gift Spring Arbor University has received in its history.

Located three miles outside of Hillsdale, Michigan, and 35 miles from Spring Arbor University’s main campus, Michindoh has been conducting ministry, educational and family programming through conference services for nearly 100 years.

“We are so thankful to our unnamed donors for this most incredible and generous legacy gift,” said former Spring Arbor University President, Charles H. Webb. “The University’s mission matches well with Michindoh’s, which will help broaden the reach and strengthen the quality of our academic programs. With great anticipation, we look to this new partnership as we envision and prepare for the next century of continued educational and outreach services to communities locally, across Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, and around the world.”

“The mutual partnership between Spring Arbor University and Michindoh Conference Center could not have been better designed,” says Cliff Miller, chief operating officer of Michindoh Conference Center and adjunct professor in Spring Arbor University’s Master of Science in Management (MSM) program. “We are excited about the opportunities that will come from this partnership.”

Michindoh Conference Center is still operates as an independent 501(c)(3) organization with their own governing board.

About Michindoh

For almost 100 years, Michindoh Conference Center has been providing programs and tools for building youth, strengthening families and impacting the local community.

Positioned on 250 beautiful acres of rolling hills, wetlands, streams and a private spring-fed lake, Michindoh’s property provides an ideal setting for Michigan’s premier Outdoor Education School. The OES program serves more than 7,000 students annually from both public and private schools, providing customized educational programs that meet specific academic benchmarks in Michigan and Ohio.

Michindoh’s modern conference facilities offer a professional environment in the peaceful setting of the great outdoors. Multiple meeting rooms for groups larger than 300, along with media-rich breakout rooms for smaller groups, allow Michindoh to serve groups of more than 500 and/or multiple smaller groups.

In addition, Michindoh offers numerous recreational options, including a multi-court indoor gym, a 320-square-foot waterslide, boating, high ropes course, team building activities, paintball course, sports courts, fishing, swimming and target sports. It also has its own program specialists, which make Michindoh the ideal place to develop youth retreat/camp ministries that produce dynamic life-changing ministries.

Michindoh also provides programs for the entire family, including summer camping experiences, and retreat getaways for families and adults. To learn more about Michindoh Conference Center, visit michindoh.com or call 517.523.3616.