Camp Meeting: How it’s made
Year after year, hundreds of campers pour into the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference camp meeting to fill pre-assembled tents, attend meetings with inspiring speakers, participate in organized activities, and enjoy the overall spiritual atmosphere camp meeting provides.
Behind each of these elements of camp meeting are several hands and hours of work that help make the event successful. Planning for the next year typically starts right after the current event ends, with some aspects even earlier.
On the last day of camp meeting, the next year’s theme, main speakers, and dates are promoted. Mike Hewitt, KYTN Conference vice president and camp meeting director, begins arranging camp meeting speakers years in advance. For this year’s Camp Meeting, Hewitt scheduled speaker Shawn Boonstra, director for “The Voice of Prophecy,” two years earlier.
“I’m already working on Camp Meeting at least a year, probably more than a year, in advance,” Hewitt said.
With the theme and main speakers set for the next year, the camp meeting team wastes no time in launching preparations for the upcoming event. Anita Watkins, camp meeting food service director, prefers to plan the next year’s menu while the current year’s event is still fresh in her mind.
When camp meeting attendees enter the cafeteria for a meal prepared by Watkins and her team, they are greeted with a colorful array of delicious food. The exceptional quality is a result of Watkins' meticulous preparations, which begin as early as February.
“In the end of February, I start getting things made and in the freezer. Because I make my own ‘Skallops’, my own ‘FriChik’, and my own veggie burgers,” Watkins shared.
During Camp Meeting week, she arrives in the kitchen at 3:30 a.m. to begin preparing that day’s food with a spirit of love, she said.
“I just love taking care of people,” Watkins said. “You know their job down there [at the meetings] is to take care of the spiritual food and mine is to take care of the physical food.”
Food prep isn’t the only task that begins far in advance for camp meeting; site preparation is a year-long process. Floyd Harmon, assistant camp meeting superintendent, said once camp meeting concludes, he and others conduct site visits about twice a month. As part of these visits, Harmon helps maintain and improve the camp meeting sites. In recent years, improvements have included moving half the power lines underground, renovating the RV parking lot, renovating “Motel Six,” and adding cabins.
In the days before camp meeting, an event called “Camp Pitch” takes place to help with set up. Harmon along with others, including the pastors of the Conference, students of Highland Academy, help set up tents. Drivers use four pickup trucks to constantly transport furniture, decorations, and other items from storage and place in their designated areas. Floyd describes the preparation for camp meeting as an “all-hands on deck” effort. Hewitt echoed this sentiment: “It takes everybody working together — which is the beauty of camp meeting Camp Pitch.”
With the help of many people, camp meeting is ready to welcome attendees of all ages, including those in the primary children’s program. When primary students enter the Highland Elementary School, it feels like they are stepping into an outdoor scene rather than a school. The room features various props like a fishpond, ranger’s cabin, waterfall, campfire, and cave. To create this artificial outdoor environment, primary children’s program director Melissa Ringstaff and her helpers, many of whom are family, spent four 16-hour days assembling and setting up.
Ringstaff admits it is hard work but believes it is worth it to provide the children with an unforgettable experience that she hopes will draw them closer to God.
“I just love doing primary. And I mean, it’s so much work. If I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t do it,” Ringstaff said.
Many camp meeting workers and volunteers are motivated by seeing people enjoy the event. Sarah Spencer leads the crew responsible for maintaining clean grounds and facilities during the event. Spencer acknowledges that cleaning can be a challenging task and not for everyone but finds motivation in the gratitude expressed by attendees.
“I feel happy to see them happy. So, every year when they ask if I’m coming to clean up, I say ‘Absolutely, yes,’” Spencer said.
Daniel McFeeters has been assisting the Camp Meeting AV team for four years. He is one of over 10 individuals on the AV team who help make the audio, video, and the livestream run smoothly. Starting his day at 6 a.m., McFeeters provides audio for the early devotional and wraps up his daily AV duties after the evening worship concludes. He expresses gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the meetings and recognizes the role of the AV team in enhancing the camp meeting experience for both online and in-person attendees.
“My favorite part of working with AV is just knowing that I have a small part, but a very crucial part, in making all of this happen,” McFeeters said.
Xander Ordinola, Conference media specialist, is instrumental in producing videos showcased during various meetings and live streamed to Camp Meeting’s online audience. The media team works hard to produce new content daily, facing a notably faster paced and demanding environment compared to other events. Ordinola finds fulfillment in this work because he believes the stories shared through his videos can help inspire or motivate someone at camp meeting.
“The hope is that if one person is changed or is inspired in some way — then this is worth it,” Ordinola said.
The KYTN Conference Camp Meeting is a testament to the hard work of countless individuals who devote their time and effort into creating an unforgettable experience for attendees. From planning years ahead to managing every detail, the dedication of each Camp Meeting worker is clear as they tirelessly work to create a space for spiritual retreat and renewal.
We look forward to welcoming you to next year’s camp meeting, scheduled from May 23 to June 1. The theme for the event will be "Blessed Assurance," featuring guest speakers Dakota Day and Pavel Goia.
