M. KAY DeMOSS
Senior Editor-Writer, Michigan Area

Few United Methodists in the State of Michigan have been left untouched by camping ministries. Most folks have been a camper, a counselor, a dean, a parent of a camper, or have known a preacher who first heard God’s call at camp.

That’s why the formation of a Michigan Area Corporation to administer camp and retreat ministries holds such great promise. Earlier this year members of the Detroit and West Michigan Annual Conferences voted overwhelmingly to create the new board. The vote was announced by Bishop Deborah Lieder Kiesey on June 10 and the corporation is to be ready to go by January 1, 2016.

First steps

Eight persons from the two conferences make up the core of the board and those persons met for the first time on August 24. They are:

• Detroit Conference– Rev. Kristen Parks, Rev. Sherry Foster, David Fanning, Cliff Stalling
• West Michigan Conference– Glen Kinder, Bill Polzin, Tom McComb, Michele Hills

Their agenda included basic organizational tasks…preliminary plans for the hiring of a new executive director; creation of a business plan; consideration of seven additional board members; formulating job descriptions; and other matters of structure, policy and procedure.

“It’s a scary process but an exciting process,” remarks the Rev. George Ayoub, Executive Director of Camping for the West Michigan Conference. “We are among the first in the country to take this step so we are building our own model.”

The Rev. Tom Macaulay, Interim Director of Outdoor and Retreat Ministries for the Detroit Conference, says, “We hope to build on our strong heritage and move forward in exciting ways. This is not simply a merger of our two operations. It’s a new thing.”

On the scene

Both Macaulay and Ayoub have spent time this summer visiting campgrounds around the Area. Currently there are five conference-owned facilities in West Michigan (Albright, Crystal Springs, Lake Michigan, Lakeview, and Wesley Woods). There are four sites in the Detroit Conference (Judson Collins, Kinawind, Lake Huron and Myers Lake).

George reports that campers and their families have noticed improvements that have been made at the various facilities. “Their compliments have done a lot for the camp staffs,” he notes. To date there have been 1,100 children and youth canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and sitting at firebowls.
Major developments include completion of the tabernacle roof at Crystal Springs, with only $19,000 yet to raise. The new dining hall project at Wesley Woods has met its goal and paperwork has been submitted to the Granger Corporation for a promised $200,000 grant. Construction is expected to begin in the fall.

Tom’s focus has always been relationships built at camp. He is especially impressed by the Urban Camp hosted at Judson Collins this summer, led by Cliff Stallings. “There were 133 middle and high school campers,” Tom reports, “all creating community, nurturing faith and building character.” He also shares that Judson Collins is hoping to complete Acorn Lodge to be available for use in 2016. “This brand new facility will serve the population center for the state,” he explains. “It will be a great gift to the area.”

Looking ahead

Immediately on the horizon in West Michigan is the Changing Lives Campaign. Approved at the 2015 Annual Conference session, the effort seeks to raise $450,000 for camp scholarships, director support, and camp maintenance. “We are full-steam ahead with blessing by Bishop Deb,” George says. Resources are now available by contacting the Conference Office; phone  1-888-217-1905. “We hope for 100% participation from our congregations,” Ayoub states, “because all benefit from lives changed at camp.”

George notes that the highlight of his summer was meeting two girls at Camp New Day. Held at Albright Park, this experience is for children of incarcerated parents. “These two young ladies were so excited about their week at camp that they want to come back next year and keep coming back as counselors when they are older.”

“Christian faith is all about new beginnings,” Tom asserts. “God is offering us an invitation to do something new here in Michigan. It’s now up to us, as followers of Jesus Christ, to embrace possibilities and not let our fear of change limit what’s possible.”

Camping and retreat ministries today is about building upon past successes. It’s also about acting on innovative alternatives.

Macaulay reflects: “I have great memories of Judson Collins, old Lake Huron Camp, and Lake Louise. And I feel instantly at home when I visit those sites today. But while the grounds are familiar, it’s not the same. Back in my day we didn’t have cell phones so we didn’t worry about unplugging because there wasn’t much to plug into. That’s different now. Yet we still deal with campers who get homesick but who hang in there then can’t wait for next summer.”

As it has been with camp administration in the past, so shall it be with the work of the new Michigan Area Camp Corporation. New life in Christ will stand at the center of all that they do.

Last Updated on October 20, 2023