‘To Me, It’s More Than a Campground’

Story by Shelia Burton, Campground Renovation Committee Chair

For many members of the Allegheny West Conference, camp meeting was never just another event on the church calendar. It was something you anticipated all year long. It was the place where the pace of everyday life gave way to a simpler rhythm—one centered on worship, fellowship and time with God.

Every summer, families like mine arrived from across the conference with eager anticipation. For 10 unforgettable days, the campground became a community of faith. Each day began at 6 a.m. with early morning prayer, and concluded each evening with an inspiring message from God’s Word. Between those moments were practical workshops, meaningful Bible seminars, heartfelt conversations and friendships that grew stronger with every passing day.

If you stood on the grounds during camp meeting, you couldn’t help but feel the life all around you. Songs of praise floated through the air from the pavilion as voices united in worship. Children raced from one activity to the next, their laughter echoing across the campground. On Sabbath afternoon, the Pathfinders and Adventurers, dressed proudly in full uniform, marched from the main pavilion to the youth pavilion. Friends embraced after months apart, families gathered to share Sabbath meals and strangers quickly became brothers and sisters in Christ.

As the week unfolded, everyone looked forward to the Sabbath divine hour. Year after year, God used gifted and inspiring speakers to proclaim messages that reached deep into the hearts of those gathered. You left services loving Christ more deeply, recognizing the need for Him more clearly, thanking Him more sincerely and feeling a renewed desire to serve Him with your whole heart. The music only deepened the experience. Choirs lifted voices in songs that seemed almost angelic, filling the pavilion with melodies so moving that many found themselves on their feet, praising God with tears of gratitude and joy.

Camp meeting was also a time when the conference family celebrated God’s calling on the lives of His servants. One of the most anticipated moments was the ordination service. Churches watched with pride as their pastors walked in procession alongside fellow ministers, while their spouses walked beside them in support of their sacred calling. For many congregations, seeing their pastor ordained was more than a ceremony—it was a joyful affirmation of years of faithful ministry and a reminder that God continues to call men and women to serve His church.

As camp meeting drew to a close, many were not quite ready to leave. The annual ice cream social offered one last opportunity to laugh, reminisce and enjoy each other’s company before saying goodbye. Many made one final stop at the Adventist Book Center, eager to take advantage of the traditional end-of-camp discounts and leave with a book that would continue to inspire their walk with Christ long after they returned home.

For some, the campground was where they first sensed God’s calling on their lives. For others, it was where lifelong friendships began, prayers were answered, burdens were lifted and faith was renewed. Year after year, memories were made that endured long after the tents came down and the final hymn was sung.

Even today, those memories remain.

Mention the campground to someone who attended, and before long you’ll hear a smile in their voice and a story they’ve carried for years.

As I reflect on those years, I realize my own memories are not so different from those of countless others.

When I think about camp meeting, those memories remind me that this was never just a place. It was where faith was nurtured, families grew closer and lives were quietly transformed. It shaped generations of believers—including me.

Then, almost without realizing it, one summer became the last. The songs faded. The pavilion grew quiet. The drum beat and laughter of children were no longer heard. The campground that had shaped so many lives fell silent.

After more than eight years, the grounds that once welcomed hundreds of worshippers have waited patiently to fulfill the purpose for which they were created. The buildings that once buzzed with activity stand ready for new life, but the mission that inspired this campground has never changed. If anything, it is needed now more than ever. In a world filled with constant noise, endless distractions and hurried schedules, people are longing for places where they can slow down, reconnect with God and find spiritual renewal.

Today, a new chapter is beginning. Plans are in the works to reopen the campground at its longtime location: 6470 Oakthorpe Road in Thornville, Ohio. The renovation of the Allegheny West Conference campground is about much more than building new facilities; it is about restoring a place where God has met His people for generations and preparing it to serve generations yet to come.

That is why restoring this campground matters. It is not simply about preserving the past. It is about preparing for the future. It is about making sure another generation has memories of its own.

With God’s blessing, and through the prayers, generosity and partnership of those who believe in this vision, the songs of praise, the laughter of children, the fellowship of believers and the quiet moments when God speaks to the heart will once again fill these sacred grounds.

The silence has lasted long enough. It is time for the songs to return.

Today, we have an opportunity to not only restore buildings but to also restore a ministry that has impacted generations. The goal is to transform the campground into a year-round center for spiritual growth, fellowship, youth ministry and community outreach. The renovated campground will once again host camp meetings, retreats, leadership training, family ministries, youth programs and other events that strengthen faith and build Christian community.

So, “How can I help?” you ask. By praying for God’s continued guidance and blessing on this project. By sharing this vision with family, friends and former members. By supporting the renovation project.

Join us in ensuring future generations experience more than a campground—but the joy, fellowship and spiritual renewal that so many of us cherish.