FPS staff report
July 1, 2008

Erika Laughlin, 11, tries out the waterslide at Elkhorn Valley Christian Camp.

Elkhorn Valley Christian Service Camp is celebrating 50 years of providing camp facilities.

The camp provides facilities where Jesus Christ may be more highly exalted through an intensified program of worship, education, recreation and social activity in a spiritual atmosphere.

A "Family Fun Day" was held June 21, at the Carnation Rd. facility, to celebrate the grand opening of the new pool and water slide.  Mark Laughlin, camp manager, spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony stating, "We dedicate this pool to be part of this camp for years to come.  Recently we had three people accept Jesus Christ into their lives and be baptized in the pool."  Visitors were able to swim, enjoy the water slide and enjoy hot dogs, snacks and drinks.

A 50th anniversary celebration weekend camp will be held Aug. 29 - Sept. 1.  As part of "Family Weekend," a special day has been planned Aug. 31 beginning at 2 p.m.  Those in attendance will enjoy a look at the past, present and future.

In 1958, a group of local Christian Churches and Churches of Christ gathered together with the desire to build a summer camp devoted to encouraging young people to go into full time Christian service. Elkhorn Valley Christian Service Camp was established on 160 acres of land and 65 acres were added in 1977 for a total of 225 acres. The camp was originally a desolate valley with an old farmhouse and barn. Over the past 48 years, it has grown from a part-time caretaker to five full-time staff members; from two weeks of summer camp to 23 weeks of summer camp.

Elkhorn Valley has expanded summer camps to include New Purpose Retreats for individuals with disabilities, wilderness, expedition and sports camps.

They offer 15 other weekend and day programs, which include winter/spring retreats for youth, adult and family programming.
Summer camps are broken down into grade levels for younger children, junior high and high school students or by interest such as sports camp, video game camp and creative arts camp. Men and women’s retreats are also held at the camp.

The facility has a challenge course, both high and low elements and a Retreat Center where they host 60 private retreats each year for schools, scouts, band camps, at-risk youth and community service groups.  The Retreat Center, available for weddings, banquets, family reunions or leadership retreats, has a large main hall with two stone fireplaces, an attached commercial kitchen and banquet service for 200 people.  It has five dorm-style rooms that accommodate up to 70 people along with a conference room and audio-visual equipment and sound system.

Elkhorn Valley Christian Service Camp is located at 8200 Carnation Rd. near Bergholz.  For more information about Elkhorn Valley Christian Service Camp, call 740-768-2148 or visit their website at www.elkhornvalley.com.