27,000 Square Feet of Gratitude: Volunteers Revamp Horse Arena at ICC

A team of 50 volunteers from Maranatha Volunteers International completed a series of maintenance and construction projects at Indian Creek Camp (ICC) in late March, contributing thousands of dollars in labor.

Volunteers from across the United States and abroad spent two weeks working on various upgrades to the camp, which hosts nearly 6,000 visitors annually. Projects included painting cabin interiors, staining doors and stairs, rebuilding benches, and installing skirting around several buildings to protect water pipes during winter.

The most significant undertaking was the painting of a 27,000-square-foot covered horse arena, a critical structure for the camp’s equestrian program.

“We have unexpected rain throughout the summer, so this arena keeps our horse program going,” Camp Manager Ben Copley said. He noted that the project would have taken a month to complete with limited staff, but the volunteer labor reduced that timeline significantly. “It blows my mind. You know how much value that is when someone can step in and do that work?”

This marks the third time since 2023 that Maranatha has sent volunteers to ICC. The organization provides volunteer labor for projects across North America and internationally, supporting construction efforts at schools, churches, summer camps, and retreat centers.

Copley emphasized that the volunteers' contributions go beyond financial savings.

“Summer camp is such a mission,” Copley said. “There are kids here that actually connect with camp. Camp is where they really feel Jesus.”