Located 5 miles southeast of Ottumwa, Iowa on 360 acres of timber, hills and valleys, Forest Lake Camp and Conference Center is an ideal place to escape the hurry of today’s pressurized world, have a family reunion or wedding, organize a church or company picnic, retreat, board meeting, or a family campout or even a science class exploration. The facilities include five air conditioned cabins, thr
ee partitioned into two sides with an adjoining doorway and comfortable bunk beds. The remaining cabins include one large room cabin with bunk beds and a second cabin suitable for an individual retreat with couch, overstuffed chair and a queen size bed. There is a small chapel with a separate cooking and dining area in its basement making it possible for the camp to have two separate programs being conducted at the same time. A major feature of the camp is a regulation size gymnasium and larger dining hall. The million dollar gym and dining hall constructed in 2008, is suitable for Jr. High school or High School basketball games, The dining room has a capacity of 96 people, a fireplace and a fully equipped kitchen . These facilities are also equipped with sound. The camp supports a seven acre lake stocked with bass, bluegill and catfish. The lake is suitable for fishing and is equipped with a large diving float and canoes. The camp has six paddle boats available. A shelter house, picnic tables and fire pit are also located in the beach area with a volley ball court and archery field located near by. On a large open grassy field, located above the lake, is an area for primitive camping, good for tenting and open air sleeping. The area has fire pits, four restrooms, shelter house and is serviced with running water. The camp, a facility of the Mid-American Baptist Churches, also conducts summer non-sectarian Christian camping programs for children and youth of its member churches. Other individuals and churches are welcome to participate in this programming. All buildings are winterized and air conditioned and can be available for rental by groups and families throughout the whole year. The forest and lake offer a picturesque setting through the whole year for important family events such as weddings, receptions and reunions. The gymnasium and dining hall make it possible to host large groups for dinners and catered meals. The camp cook can also provide meals for groups at a very reasonable rate. A rental rate schedule may be obtained on a separate publication obtained from the camp caretaker.
