Baptist churches celebrate Forest Lake Camp building

BLOOMFIELD ? Oct. 22 was proclaimed a Day Of Celebration at Forest Lake Camp and Conference Center in rural Bloomfield, and about 130 supporters from regional American Baptist churches attended.

Attendees were thanked for their continued support since fire destroyed the camp?s dining room and adult lodging five years ago.

Participants were treated to guided tours of the campus, a free lunch provided by the represented churches and the camp, and a spirited worship and celebration service.

During the service, a 15-by-3-foot banner was unveiled, announcing the 2012 theme for summer camping programs, ?God In The Wilderness.? Cambria Baptist Church contributed the banner.

Camp curriculum will be built around how God is with people in times of great difficulties and how youth and children can cope with stressful times.

Door prizes were awarded to supporters: Two full summer camping scholarships; a weekend for a family of four in the recently remodeled Pine retreat cabin; T-shirts; survival bracelets; and a handmade depiction of the camp?s chapel.

First Baptist Church of Fairfield won the chapel picture based on having the most members attend the celebration.

Since the 2006 fire, camp supporters raised funds to design and build replacement structures.

The burned dining hall was only partially covered by insurance. To serve the wider community, it was decided the new building would consist of dining facilities and a full sized regulation gym.

Over the past five years since the fire, the camp has continued to offer summer children and youth camps; has hosted weddings, school classes, musical camps, women?s meetings and other denominational camps, including one for children of incarcerated parents.

Constructing the million dollar building took several years and borrowing several hundred thousand dollars in additional funds.

One of the celebrations is the indebtedness is now reduced to $14,000 and was expected to be completely paid off by the end of the year.

The day was hosted by the Ministry Team of Forest Lake Camp which has been responsible for ongoing operations and reconstruction of the camp buildings.

Donald Branschreiber of rural Ottumwa serves as chairman of the Ministry Team.

Churches participating were: First Baptist and Bethany Baptist of Ottumwa; United Christian Baptist of Kalona; First Baptist of Pella; First Baptist of Keokuk; First Baptist of Fairfield; First Baptist of Indianola; First Baptist of Mount Pleasant; Westover Baptist of Des Moines; First Baptist of the Greater Des Moines Area; Confidence Baptist Church of rural Melrose; First Baptist of Washington; First Baptist of Ames; Ollie Baptist; and Cambia Baptist.