It was a night in Nov. 1970, when a handful of Christian men and preachers, from a few Christian Churches and Churches of Christ got together at the Petersville Ch. The immediate goal of this organization was to establish a summer youth camp in this the area, where the youth could go and learn about Christ and the Church. The closest youth camp was about sixty miles in either direction. Most of t
he parents wouldn’t let their children be that far away from home night and day for a week. Since there were neither land nor buildings for a camp, other arrangements had to be made. The Medthodist denomination had a complete camp facility in the area and it was rented for the first two years. This was for two weeks of camp one for Juniors and one for Seniors. The Tuition that year was $12.50 which included meals and Insurance. Local preachers served as deans and teachers and many people from the local Christian churches and Churches of Christ helped with cooking and other chores. The following year there were 103 youngsters in camp. Again with the help of the local ministers and Christians cost was kept at a bare minimum. Some of these young men and woman made decisions to attend Bible colleges. The Board of directors put out a plea, to area Christians in 1974, to help locate and purchase a piece of land where a camp could be built.There were38 churches in a three county area and the camp had to be centrally located. Some properties were offered free, but were unacceptable for the purpose at hand. After much frustration on the part of everyone involved, a board member brought news that a tract of land might be for sale, which would be perfect for a camp. Also the owners would donate an adjoining piece of land as well. It was graciously accepted. Thus the Sugarloaf Christian camp came to be at the present location in 1975. The dinning Hall and kitchen, two dorms were built and the rest is history. Presently here at Sugarloaf we can sleep 135 campers at one time in the summer. We have new showers and bathroom facilities, a large Chapel, four classroom shelters and 115 acres to develop. The Lord has been good. Presently the cost for a week of camp is $100 and Cookie Crunchers is $50. All campers get a 5 ” by 7” Group picture and a camp T-shirt free.
