Welcome

We all need a place to go to restore our sense of balance and joy.  A place where we can relax, replenish the soul and remind ourselves what life is all about – a place that reflects our hopes for the future. Camp Zest is an opportunity for people to join in the pursuit to create such a place. Its mission is...

To bring people together to plan, build and own a network of naturally built, small retreats that feature romantic, natural, environmentally friendly, and energy efficient cottages. 

Camp Zest is a way for people with an interest in creating such a place but who don’t have the time, money and/or skills to do it on their own.  Its purpose is to bring such people together and facilitate the development of these retreats through a collaborative process and bringing other talented people to the venture to help ensure success. 

Makanda Inn - is the proto-type development of Camp Zest and is located in Makanda, Illinois, which is in the Shawnee National Forest and only 15 minutes from Southern Illinois University.  The Makanda Inn is located on 18 acres directly next to Giant City State Park and a half mile from the Makanda Boardwalk.  A 4-guest room main building is currently under construction and will be complete this summer.  We will also be starting with a prototype cob cottage over the summer.  The site has 12 cottage sites available.

More information will be provided on this development soon.  In the meantime, please contact us via email if you are interested in learning more about this venture.