Every year Extreme Church men head out on a Sunday as soon as church is over and we head to a river in Missouri called Roaring River. Just over two-hours away, within Missouri’s Mark Twain National Forest, Roaring River is a state owned and operated trout river. Cell signals weaken. Traffic disappears. The pace slows. What replaces it is the steady rhythm of nature—wind through tall trees, gravel under tires, and the growing sound of moving water.

 

Roaring River is fed by a cold, deep, spring-fed flow of water that has been constant for many years. The grounds are clean, protected, peaceful, and very family friendly. Evenings are peaceful and the time we spend is priceless as we make a lot of memories. This is one of the most incredible times for men to get together and build relationships. 

The river is stocked each day with trout and early at morning when the whistle blows, the fish are hungry and trolling like piranhas. 

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It is a place where our men can sit by a fire, cook, eat, laugh, hike, fish, pray, and just sit back and rest and enjoy the camaraderie with each other.  

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Once you’ve been here, you’ll understand why men return year after year—drawn back to the river that still roars, and the place where life slows just enough to hear God speak.

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What began as a simple getaway has become a sacred annual rhythm for the men of Extreme Church.

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In June, we will return to Roaring River for our 17th Annual Roaring River Men’s Campout—seventeen years of loading trucks, hooking up to campers, pitching tents, building fires, cast- iron cooking, and gathering around a river that has quietly witnessed our stories unfold. Year after year, men have made the journey, and year after year, something meaningful has happened.

 

Some men come for the fishing. Some come for the outdoors. Most come back for brotherhood. Seventeen years later, the tradition continues—not because it’s convenient, but because it’s worth it. And for those who have never been before, this trip isn’t just something you attend—it’s something you step into. A legacy that’s still being written.

 

Before We Head to the River: What You Need to Know

Each January, Extreme Church announces our annual Men’s Roaring River Campout so men can plan ahead, schedule vacations, and make room for this important week. This trip has become a priority for many, and we do our best to keep the timing consistent each year.

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Trip Timing
We traditionally schedule the campout for the week leading up to Father’s Day. In 2026, the Men’s Campout will take place:

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June 14–20, 2026

Men are welcome to stay the entire week or just part of it, depending on work schedules and time off. The trip is intentionally flexible so everyone can participate at a level that works for them.

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Arrival & Departure

• Sunday, June 14: As soon as church concludes, we head to Roaring River together and begin setting up camp.

  • Check-in time: 3:00 PM

  • Dinner will follow once camp is set up and everyone is settled.

• Saturday, June 20: We break camp and head home so everyone can be in church on that next Sunday morning. 

  • Check-out time: 2:00 PM

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Campsite Reservations
Each man is responsible for reserving his own campsite through Roaring River State Park website. Many have already reserved their spot a year in advance. 

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If you are tent camping, you may:

• Team up with someone who already has a reserved campsite (tent or camper). Regulations only allow either one camper and one tent or two tents per campsite. 

• Split the campsite cost

• Pay your portion before setting up your tent to the person who reserved the site.

This setup helps keep things simple while encouraging men to camp together.

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Meals & Food Costs
Most meals are the responsibility of each individual. However, one of the highlights of the week is sharing meals together.

• Most mornings and evenings, we cook and eat as a group

• Cost is $5 per meal, per person

• If you eat two meals per day for six days, the total cost is $60

NOTE: We collect this prior to the trip due to many things being purchased before we leave. This is about as inexpensive as it gets!

Lunch is the responsibility of each person. We don’t really eat lunch together. 

These shared meals—often cooked in cast-iron—are a big part of the fellowship and camaraderie of the week.

 

The Rhythm of the Week

One of the things men appreciate most about the Roaring River trip is the freedom it provides.

During the week, everyone is largely on their own. We don’t try to move as a group or keep a rigid schedule. There will be times when men naturally fish together, eat together, or enjoy activities together—but those moments happen organically. They’re never forced and never expected.

 

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We want every man to feel free to:

• Rest when he needs to rest

• Fish when he wants to fish

• Spend time alone or with others as he chooses

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There is a natural ebb and flow to the week. Some days are quiet. Some days are social. Both are good, and both are part of what makes the experience meaningful.

 

Fishing at Roaring River

Roaring River is a trout river, and for most men, fishing becomes part of the daily rhythm. Whether you’re experienced or it’s your first time, the river offers a simple, rewarding experience.

Because fishing regulations can change, the best and most accurate source for rules, licenses, and legal requirements is the official Roaring River State Park website. We strongly encourage everyone to review the regulations online before arriving, so you are aware of everything required by law.

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If this is your first time trout fishing, keep it simple:

• Use lightweight rods and reels

• Gear should accommodate 2–4 lb test line

• Heavy gear is not recommended for this river

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When it comes to lures, our suggestion is to wait until you arrive. The Roaring River park store or Tim’s Fly Shop close by offers a wide variety of lures specifically suited for the river, often with better selection than what’s available locally. It’s the easiest way to make sure you have what works best.

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Extra Reminders

A few additional things to keep in mind as you prepare for the week:

• Lunches: Each person is responsible for their own lunch throughout the week. Plan accordingly.

• Bicycles: Bringing a bicycle is highly recommended, especially for kids. Many men use bikes to travel back and forth between campsites, restrooms, and showers.

  • We typically camp in Campground 2

  • Showers are available in Campgrounds 2 and 3

  • Restrooms are located in each campground

  • Bikes make getting around much easier and more enjoyable

• Plates & Utensils: Everyone should bring their own plate, bowl, cup, and utensils.
  When you come to a shared meal, bring your own place setting. This helps eliminate confusion and ensures we never have to wonder if there are enough plates or utensils for everyone.

• About one mile from the campsite is a water slide. Every year we take the kids to the water slide, sometimes two or three times while we are there. Some adults will slide as well. The cost of the water slide, unless it has changed, is $10 per hour per person. 

• On the last day (Saturday) we DO NOT cook that morning.

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It has been our tradition that after we pack up to leave we head to the Sunrise Restaurant in Cassville, just seven miles from Roaring River, and eat breakfast together before we head home. 

These small details help the week run smoothly and keep things simple for everyone.

 

Get Ready for a Great Week

Get ready for a fun, relaxing, and memorable time at Roaring River. This week is about more than camping and fishing—it’s about building relationships, strengthening friendships, and spending meaningful time with the men of Extreme Church.

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Make your plans now. Clear the calendar. Come ready to laugh, rest, fish, eat well, and connect. Whether this is your first year or your seventeenth, there is always something special about time spent together at the river—and you won’t regret being part of it.

 

We will be announcing a Roaring River Informational Meeting soon. This meeting will cover final details, answer questions, and—most importantly—get everyone excited and ready for what’s ahead.

Start planning now. Go to www.roaringriverstatepark.org and get up-to-speed on what this trip offers. Pack with anticipation. And get ready for one of the highlights of the year. We can’t wait to see you at the river.