Sunset Lake Camp reflects on 100 years of Adventist camp ministry in North America

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Sunset Lake Camp reflects on 100 years of Adventist camp ministry in North America

From a pair of youth camps in 1926, Seventh-day Adventist camp ministry has grown to serve more than 34,000 people a year.

By Alexandria Osborne | For FāVS News

Main Points

In 1926, a Seventh-Day Adventist Youth Director planned an all-boys summer camp in Michigan, while another youth pastor with the same vision held an all-girls camp in Wisconsin.

This came after recognizing the value of a summer camp experience, which was already popular with the YMCA, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, said Terry Bolton, Leoni Meadows Summer Camp business manager. Now, 100 years later, there are more than 60 Seventh-Day Adventist summer camps spread out throughout North America. 

A century of growth

Bolton said on average, over 34,000 young people and families attend summer camps yearly, with more than 2700 summer camp staff sharing life experiences around campfires or at a worship service. 

Every year, hundreds of campers choose to be baptized, either at their home church or at camps, surrounded by friends, family and staff members, Bolton said. 

“Camp ministry has grown beyond summer camp to include year-round use for church groups, conventions, retreats, conferences, family get-togethers, youth groups and even community events,” he said. 

Bolton works at Leoni Meadows in California, with six kids camps for ages 9-16, as well as three family camps where the whole family can enjoy a week of ministry. 

He said there are retreats for dental and medical professionals as well, where they can bring their families and can receive continuing education credits from university professors.

“We have instructors coming up for the doctors and dentists so they can keep the educational part of their license current and the rest of the family can go out and play,” Bolton said. “When they get a break, the physicians and dentists can get out and play too.” 

Sunset Lake Camp: 70 years in western Washington

Sunset Lake Camp in Wilkeson, Washington is one of many summer camps, and is a 7-week overnight summer camp for 8-17 year olds, with young adult summer staff as well, said David Yeagly, Sunset Lake executive director. The camp hosts retreats as well, and most weekends are filled with different groups renting out the camp. 

The camp has been operational on its 400 acres of property in western Washington, since 1957, and Yeagly said the camp’s guiding principles are to be a place where everyone can belong and where grace can be felt.

“We want to be a place where community is expressed and demonstrated,” he said. “It’s a place of adventure where people can be challenged to do new things…and develop a deeper relationship with Christ, which is the heart and soul of what we do.”

Yeagly said there are a variety of seasonal and year-round activities throughout the camp, including horse riding lessons, water activities including swimming, boating and canoeing, ropes courses and ziplining. 

“I love working with our young adult summer staff. There’s a lot of leadership development, training, guidance and mentorship that you get to do with them,” Yeagly said. “Working with campers themselves and seeing them grow and develop over the week is a lot of fun.”

The camp does not have any plans for the 100-year anniversary, but Yeagly said there are tentative plans for Sunset Lake’s 70th anniversary next year. 

While Sunset Lake Camp will not be holding any celebrations specific to the 100-year anniversary, Bolton said many other camp leaders will be gathering to celebrate. 

Leoni Meadows is tied in with the Association of Adventist Camp Professionals, and will be attending an international convention in December Bolton said. The convention, held at Camp Kulaqua in Florida, will host over 200 people from North America and around the world.

“We’ll have folks probably from Ukraine, Australia, South America, South Africa and Europe at this point,” he said. “The World Church is divided into nine divisions and at least six of those divisions are going to be represented.”

Bolton said the fellowship at the convention is something he can look forward to, as well as the people who understand what camp ministry is. 

He said while it may seem like a 9-5 job, for some people it is close to 24-hours a day, seven days a week because anyone could need help with a popped tire on the way to the camp or with a clogged toilet. 

But, he is also looking forward to the camaraderie among the various people attending the convention. 

“Camp professionals from around the world will be joining in and as we meet together, we will pray for the Lord’s continued guidance as we await His soon return,” Bolton said. “Leaders will be gathering … with grateful hearts praising the Lord for placing in the hearts and minds of our early camp ministry leaders who set the vision of camp ministry.” 

Seventh-day Adventists Camps in Washington:

• Sunset Lake Summer Camp & Retreat Center in Wilkeson
• Auburn Adventist Academy / Washington Conference camp programs in Auburn
• Black Diamond Camp in Auburn

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