contributed by Colleen Holt
With Arkansas being called The Natural State, it’s only natural that the Arkansas United Methodist Church would offer opportunities for members of the faith community to spend time outdoors and grow closer to God.
There are four United Methodist camps and retreats in the state: Shoal Creek, Bear Creek, Mount Eagle Retreat Center, and Camp Tanako.
According to online information from Discipleship Ministries, “Christian camps and retreats invite persons and groups to sacred settings typically within the natural world where the creation can speak to their hearts of God. In tandem with the Holy Spirit, [camps] will give guests and participants unparalleled opportunities to focus on the deeper meaning of their lives by inviting them away from normal routine and distraction. These intentional times apart are a catalyst for new possibilities that embody the Church’s mission to nurture Christian discipleship and to engage persons in the transformation of the world through love and justice.”
For those closely tied to camping ministries in Arkansas, it is truly convincing that what is offered at their facilities can help others grow in their walk with God.
Katelyn Hiatt, executive director at Mount Eagle Retreat Center in southwest Stone County, said, “One of my favorite parts about camping and retreat ministries is hearing and experiencing God meeting people right where they are, no matter how they come to this place, whether they are broken, tired, lost, joyful, or at peace. God meets them, and this setting is prime for people letting go of their day-to-day and opening to God meeting them right here.”
Renee Henson, a trustee at Shoal Creek Camp in New Blaine (Logan County), couldn’t agree more. “There are so many special things about camping ministry that it is hard to pinpoint one thing. Being at camp has a tremendous impact on lives – whether you are an elementary school student, a youth or an adult, camp changes lives in ways no other ministry can,” she said.
Those who visit the camps quickly see that relationships are built through fun, study and just being together. “Relationships are built at camp that form life-long friendships and sometimes even marriage,” Renee said. “Playing outside, swimming, arts and crafts, bible stories, campfires, and sleeping in a cabin creates experiences like no other. After playing all day, campers are tired, and without television, phones, or video games to distract your mind, hearts are more open to hearing and experiencing God.”
Kayla Hardage, executive director of Camp Tanako, has special memories of her time spent at the camp during her formative years. “Having grown up coming to camp here, and working on Summer Staff, 15 years ago, I most look forward to the sunrises in the chapel or nightly worship around the fire pit on the lake. I often tell people that you do not have to be Methodist or even Christian to come to camp at Tanako, just come and be present. This place will work its magic!”
Shoal Creek
This summer Shoal Creek will celebrate 63 years of ministry. Located on 22 acres, the camp offers “a place for people of all ages to unplug from the world and build relationships with others and with God.”
“We have eight cabins that sleep 12, a cook’s cabin, a nurse’s cabin, two pavilions, a community hall and kitchen, and a pool,” Renee said. “Over the last several years we have improved camp by adding heat/air to five cabins, building bathrooms to the chow hall, adding a nine-hole disc golf course, a sand volleyball pit, a nine square in the air, and a Gaga pit. These are in addition to traditional camp activities of horseshoes, corn hole, swimming, kickball field, and a giant tree swing.”
Shoal Creek, called “a hidden gem that offers an affordable place for churches and ministries of all sizes,” obtained American Camping Association Accreditation in 2019. “This was a huge undertaking for a small camp that is mostly run by volunteers and a part-time caretaker,” said Renee.
“I am most proud of Shoal Creek because we have been able to keep our ministry as our first priority and I believe that’s why Shoal Creek is still in the camping ministry. We have been able to hire a summer intern the last five summers to help groups with their ministry at camp. This has been a great way to help a young person grow in their faith journey while providing a service to others.”
For more information, call (479) 438-1429 or visit the website at shoalcreekcamp.com or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/shoalcreekcamp.
Mount Eagle
Mount Eagle is a year-round retreat center that sits atop a mountain surrounded on three sides by the Middle Fork of the Little Red River. Located on about 1,000 acres, offerings include program resources for family and personal renewal and spiritual growth. All facilities are available to churches, small groups, families, and individuals for use when conference events are not taking place. Mount Eagle is also open to other not-for-profit groups and has been known to be the site for beautiful wedding ceremonies and receptions.
Mount Eagle will offer or host spiritual retreats, family getaways, mental and physical renewal trips, and everything in between. “Our goal is to help you have the most amazing retreat for you or your group. We offer miles of hiking trails, several fire pits, a volleyball court, river access, multiple places for personal and group worship, and amazing views of nature,” according to the website at mounteagle.org.
“Mount Eagle is a very special place for many people, it has been a place where people have been rejuvenated. People have experienced the comforting presence and peace of God. This place is also simply put, a place to rest. You cannot talk to many people without them mentioning the views. You walk onto the porch of our oldest lodge (Kaetzell) you will find yourself in awe of God’s wonder and beauty as you look out over the Little Red River,” said Katelyn.
For more information about Mount Eagle Retreat Center, visit www.mounteagle.org.
Camp Tanako
Camp Tanako, located in Hot Springs on Lake Catherine, has been a tradition of the United Methodist Church in Arkansas since 1948. The Mission at Camp Tanako is to welcome children, youth, and adults to a place set apart where they can grow in their faith by experiencing God through nature and time spent in community and respond to the call of the Holy Spirit.
“We are in the forever business, in that relationships built with Christ in this place give peace to folks throughout their life. We take pride in the joy we see in both children and adults, as they enter our space. Adults relive their childhood here and children are given the opportunity to try new experiences. Camp is a place where the pressures of daily life are lifted and each individual person has the opportunity to be present with themselves, something we all need to do more often,” said Kayla.
The summer of 2022 is chock full of activities at Camp Tanako, including a special camp called “Tanako To-go” for a children’s ministry to come to camp for the day. Reservations for this can be made by calling 501-262-2600 or emailing tanako@tanako.org.
“We are gearing up for Summer Camp 2022. We have hired 30 summer staff, including a few international students. We will offer nine weeks of programming this summer with day camp, overnight camp, and ‘Tanako To-go.’ Registration is live on Tanako.org/camps for day camp and overnight camp,” Kayla said. “Our curriculum this summer is ‘What’s in a Name’ by InsideOut, an Ecumenical community that writes summer camp curriculum. This summer we will look into how names have great power. Some hold special meanings and some come with expectations. In a lifetime, we may give new meaning to our name or take a new name. Along the journey, we discover who we are and how God equips us to care for others.”
For more information about Camp Tanako, visit their website at tanako.org or Facebook at www.facebook.com/camptanako.
Bear Creek Camp
Bear Creek Camp is a year-round camp and retreat facility located in the St. Francis National Forest, on Bear Creek Lake. Located seven miles from Marianna in eastern Arkansas, Bear Creek offers facilities, services, and programs for a variety of groups such as church, community, professional, civic, and school. This camp has been used for many years with Ozark Mission Project summer camps and has hosted numerous workshops and retreats. For more information, email Glenn Hicks, director, at glenn.hicks@arumc.org.