In January of 1957, Eldon Miller traveled with a gospel group to Kentucky to visit several different churches. While he was here, his group was temporarily stranded, not due to the heavy rains that started the day they left, but because their vehicle ran out of gas. Fortunately, they found a roadside gas pump and were able to flee the masses of water that flooded this whole area of the country. On the trip down to Kentucky, Eldon happened to be carrying the deed to the 300+ acres of land that we now know as Bethel Camp.

The yearly tradition of excited young people converging on the campgrounds began that summer – 50 years ago. Later that year, Eldon married Ella June and the two of them moved down to Rowdy, KY for a short term of service here at the camp. I wonder if they had any idea how Kentucky would steal their hearts and keep them here for more than 50 years.

One of our projects this winter has been planning for a 50^th Anniversary Celebration for the weekend of May 25-27. Roger and I have been enjoying looking at pictures from the "old days" of camping; trying to pick out familiar faces from times before we were even born. It’s neat to see my parents pop up in the photos – as well as my grandparents, aunts and uncles, and friends that we’ve made here in Kentucky. Looking at the pictures reminds me of all of the memories that are stored up in people’s heads; sometimes I forget that I’m not the only person who remembers good times at Bethel Camp. Hearing a camp memory from someone else’s point of view is always a nice little surprise.

If you’ve spent any time at Bethel Camp during the last 50 years, we would love to hear some of your stories. If you’re a writer, put them down on paper (or in an email) and send them to us. (grow@bethelcamp.org) If you’re a talker, tell them to someone who is willing to write for you. We’re working on putting together a booklet of different people’s stories; we have several so far and look to receiving more in the next couple of months.