Our roots run deep
Through the ages men in their quest for God have slipped away from the crowds to the solitude of quiet places. Over a century ago, our forefathers began their trek to the open spaces to live awhile in tents and worship the Creator free from life's routine. Tent meetings, the springboard for many churches, gradually gave place to the larger convocation called a camp meeting.
Searching the records, it is learned that at the turn of the century camp meetings became an annual event. Two camps were often held each year - one in the northern part of Michigan and one in the Thumb area. By wagon, by train, on horseback and on foot, campers made their way to camp. Tents for living, tents for tabernacles, benches, beds, tabletops etc. were shipped by train and carted by wagons to the camp sites. Those early camps might stagger present day campers. Fathom living in a small leaky tent with sod carpeting, a kerosene stove for cooking, rope bed with straw tick for sleeping, and wash basins with accompanying water pails for bathing. (The above excerpt taken from: Brown City Camp Meeting 70th Year)
The earliest written records, some borrowed from our sister camp in Brown City, indicate that Mancelona Family Camp meetings have been taking place since the 1930’s. Prior to the purchase of land, camp meetings were held in Palmer Park located in downtown Mancelona. The first 5 acre parcel, of what is now known as Mancelona Camp, was purchased in 1955 facilitated by the Mancelona United Missionary Campground Board of Directors which consisted of 9 men (George Waun, Charles Thompson, Eugene Sims, Elias Bassett, Willard Williams, Homer Matteson, Mark Burgess, Harold Moore and Robert Beihl). An additional 10 acre parcel was purchased in 1966 with the latest 12 acre purchase transacted in 2008 giving Mancelona Camp a total of 27 acres.
Searching the records, it is learned that at the turn of the century camp meetings became an annual event. Two camps were often held each year - one in the northern part of Michigan and one in the Thumb area. By wagon, by train, on horseback and on foot, campers made their way to camp. Tents for living, tents for tabernacles, benches, beds, tabletops etc. were shipped by train and carted by wagons to the camp sites. Those early camps might stagger present day campers. Fathom living in a small leaky tent with sod carpeting, a kerosene stove for cooking, rope bed with straw tick for sleeping, and wash basins with accompanying water pails for bathing. (The above excerpt taken from: Brown City Camp Meeting 70th Year)
The earliest written records, some borrowed from our sister camp in Brown City, indicate that Mancelona Family Camp meetings have been taking place since the 1930’s. Prior to the purchase of land, camp meetings were held in Palmer Park located in downtown Mancelona. The first 5 acre parcel, of what is now known as Mancelona Camp, was purchased in 1955 facilitated by the Mancelona United Missionary Campground Board of Directors which consisted of 9 men (George Waun, Charles Thompson, Eugene Sims, Elias Bassett, Willard Williams, Homer Matteson, Mark Burgess, Harold Moore and Robert Beihl). An additional 10 acre parcel was purchased in 1966 with the latest 12 acre purchase transacted in 2008 giving Mancelona Camp a total of 27 acres.
Milestones
- 1955 - The first 5 acre parcel was purchased
- 1961 - The main tabernacle was built
- 1966 - Additional 10 acres purchased and new roads installed
- 1968 - New camp lots were cleared due to a 50% increase in campers staying on the grounds
- 1969 - A Camp Office and General Purpose room were constructed
- 1970 - New bell installed on Tabernacle
- 1972 - The Donaldson/Batterbee building was constructed, the youth basketball court was installed & the adult bathhouse was built
- 1973 - A building for the bookstore and a new building for the snack shop were constructed
- 1976 - Purchase of a trailer and hiring of a part time caretaker to live on the grounds
- 1993 - Youth dorms were remodeled and a new Mancelona Camp sign was designed and placed by the highway
- 1996 - Children's Tabernacle was built
- 2006 - Youth bathhouse constructed
- 2012 - Construction of a new youth dorm
- 2018 - Youth Tabernacle Pavilion built
Purpose Statement
Mancelona Camp, in the spirit of fellowship, stewardship, and mutual responsibility, is committed to expanding the Kingdom of God through the ministry of the Word of God to the needs of all participants. This Statement of Purpose was derived from the following core values that we believe reflect the mutual desire for continued growth and development of Mancelona Camp, which we see as a treasure from the Lord.
1. Growth - To seek new persons to whom we can minister in the areas of need common in today's society.
2. Youth - To impact our young people by challenging them with the Word, equipping them to become Christ-like through evangelism and discipleship.
3. Finances- To be a self-sustaining and debt free ministry able to expand with our vision.
4. Ownership - To create an atmosphere of belonging, purpose, and enthusiasm where people desire to participate in meeting the needs of Camp.
1. Growth - To seek new persons to whom we can minister in the areas of need common in today's society.
2. Youth - To impact our young people by challenging them with the Word, equipping them to become Christ-like through evangelism and discipleship.
3. Finances- To be a self-sustaining and debt free ministry able to expand with our vision.
4. Ownership - To create an atmosphere of belonging, purpose, and enthusiasm where people desire to participate in meeting the needs of Camp.