The tradition of camp meeting originally had families moving to the campground to live there in tents for 8 - 10 days, sometimes longer. There were meetings held all day long--a real spiritual feast. It was a time when there was only one breadwinner in the family, the father, so the mother and children lived on the campground the entire time, while father commuted after work on Friday and spent the weekend with his family.

In those days the young people had the opportunity of meeting other Adventist youth, and many lasting friendships were formed. To say nothing of the wonderful rousing sermons by inspiring preachers. I still remember when Elder Eric B. Hare spoke at our Lynwood (California) camp meeting, telling stories which kept us all fascinated with mission work. He told the story of "Don't you know? Haven't you heard? Hasn't anybody ever TOLD you??!" so beautifully that I've never forgotten it.

Nowadays, however, the Southern California Conference holds no camp meeting at all. Or if so, it's only a "one-day camp meeting" at a large convention hall.

Economic constraints are binding our work everywhere. Everything is changing, and quickly. We all need to have our faith strong within ourselves, and need to communicate with God daily so as to maintain our relationship with Him, and be ready when Jesus comes.

The Lord will give me a sign by Easter, if He wants me to sponsor any campmeetings.

JEANNIEB42

NOT just in southern California but other states as
well have gone to just a weekend or just 1 day campmeetings

dgrimm60

Florida moved its campmeeting from the Forest Lake Academy grounds at the center of the state to 2 1/2hours north to Camp Kulaqua and from the end of June to the first of March. I haven't heard as yet how many people actually were motivated to drive that far. There are some in the conference administration who have been trying for years to do away with Campmeeting completely.

Oregon has for a long time only been a one week campmeeting. The Gladstone campgrounds are on the same location as the Oregon Conference headquarters and ABC. People come from all over the State to attend.

The first time I attended a Sabbath evening campmeeting there was an "altar call" from the evangelist who was giving the sermons. I couldn't believe that everyone got up and went forward. Except me. I didn't understand why so many people were there who felt so in need of saving....it was kind of weird.

RUDYWOOFS

WELL some people just feel they are not living
a life for GOD and want to change

dgrimm60

'nuff sed, when I lived in NYC we used to drive a long ways to go to CM. First we used to drive to Eagle Lake, and than Camp Berkshire. If I'm not mistaken they were both at lest an hour and ahalf, don't think they where 2 1/2 hours though. Some people will drive many hours to go to CM, they really enjoy it.

pk

It would be sad if Oregon could not have campmeeting. It is a very
special spiritual time. If Oregon is the 2nd largest campmeeting, what state has the largest???

Good question, I'd also like to know. I had no idea that Oregon had the 2nd largest cm.

pk

PKRAUSE

I ALSO did not know about OREGON have 2nd largest
camp meeting

I also wonder want state has largest camp meeting

dgrimm60