News Camp and Retreat Ministry

A camper at Wesley Woods this month shows off just one of his discoveries.
Celebrate! Campaign raises $905,943 for Holston camps

On April 30, 2020, the five camp directors and I sent a message to all of the people of Holston that the tough decision to close camp for the summer had been made. In the days and weeks after that message, our camp board members and hundreds of ...

Directors of Holston Conference Camp and Retreat Ministries celebrate the near completion of a giving campaign during a May 25 live presentation.
Holston camps celebrate $874,000 in giving with live video

Holston Conference Camp and Retreat Ministries has raised $874,000 in a victorious campaign that will prepare five camps for the future, according to a live video presentation on May 25. The Rev. Mary Thompson, executive director, announced the news...

Lisa Nichols and Tom Robins deliver Camp in the Community kits to children in Hancock County, Tennessee.
Doorstep deliveries: 1,400 kids experience church camp at home

SNEEDVILLE, Tenn. -- The arrival of two people carrying boxes and waving “hello” is causing a stir in this neighborhood. “Where are the kids?” Lisa Nichols asks at first. All of a sudden, the kids are everywhere -- standing on porches, sitting on ...

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Directors announce: No camp this summer

Dear Holston Family, Holston Camp & Retreat Ministries has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak. As we have been watching events unfold, we have been in prayer for the well-being of your family. After a careful discerning process, and with...

Austyn, Abigal, and Amanda Burkhalter deliver children's books to the Alcoa Conference Center on Dec. 12.
Pitching in to help Camp in the Community recover from theft

ALCOA, Tenn. (Dec. 13, 2019) -- Church and community members are pulling together to help a Holston Conference camp recover from the theft of three trailers containing almost all of its supplies. About $15,000 has been received in financial ...

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$60,000 theft of equipment devastates Camp in the Community

MARYVILLE, Tenn. -- The director of Camp in the Community is grieving the apparent theft of three trailers packed with supplies and games for children, valued at $60,000 and acquired through the generosity of church members over the last eight years....

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Report: Holston camps celebrate high summer attendance

By Mary Thompson Although it’s fall, those of us in Holston Camp and Retreat Ministries are still rejoicing in God’s work this summer. We would like to celebrate this year’s summer camp season with you all and share some of the many ways God worked ...

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Commentary: Pasqua honored for 22 years as camp leader

By Mary Thompson On Jan. 31 in Lakeland, Florida, the United Methodist Camp & Retreat Ministries Association awarded the Rev. Randy Pasqua the "National Legacy of Leadership Award" for his distinguished service in camping ministry. This is the ...

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Christmas Camp gives kids a 24-hour Advent adventure

  RISING FAWN, Ga. (Dec. 20, 2018) -- It seems like a dream come true for a busy parent at Christmastime, right? Drop off your elementary-age children at a Christian camp where they’ll have the time of their lives over a 24-hour period – all while ...