(Rev. Kelli Hitchman-Craig) - Hidden in the towering pine trees of the Conecuh National Forest in Andalusia, Alabama sits the crown jewel of the Alabama-West Florida Conference—Blue Lake Camp. Established in 1952 as an assembly ground, Blue Lake quickly became a beloved gathering place for campers, churches, and communities across the Southeast. Now, over 2,000 campers call Blue Lake Camp home every summer. After 70 years in ministry, their mission remains the same: connecting people to nature, God, and community.
At this year’s Annual Conference, the people called United Methodists in Alabama-West Florida accomplished what had felt impossible for so long— made Blue Lake Camp debt-free. Following Director Patric Newton’s annual report on the state of Blue Lake, Bishop David Graves challenged the body of the Annual Conference to pay down the camp’s debt over the course of the conference. In response to the Bishop’s challenge, Newton reflected, “I had no expectations that the Bishop would make such a big challenge… It was awesome!”
The challenge before the Conference was huge, raising $89,000 in 3 days. However, through a matching grant given by the AWF Conference on Finance and Administration , over $119,000 was raised for Blue Lake Camp before the conclusion of the 2023 session of Annual Conference. As he looked back on the experience, Newton said, “It still doesn’t feel like reality yet.” He continued, “it doesn’t change what we’re about, but it does change our plans moving forward.”
The debt was a result of a 2010 renovation campaign, which brought much needed upgrades and expansions to facilities for the campground. Though the renovations were a necessary expense for the camp’s longevity, Blue Lake Camp’s Board of Trustees Chair, Rev. Dr. Hunter Pugh shared, “the debt was like a burden that wouldn’t go away.” Director Newton expressed a similar sentiment saying, “the entire staff carried the weight of the debt.” He continued, “So to be freed from this burden we’ve carried for so long is an incredible celebration.” When asked what it feels like to be debt-free, Dr. Pugh responded, “without debt, we can do things with more freedom and creativity.” Newton elaborated, “the money is a true blessing,” which will help Blue Lake in becoming “fully sustainable with more means to continue updating and growing.”
Dr. Pugh has been on Blue Lake’s Board of Trustees since 2017, serving as the Chairperson starting in 2021. Pugh was part of the hiring process of Director Newton, so to see the debt paid off during their shared tenure has been “a great way to end the chairship.” The experience of watching the debt be paid off in real time was “a testament of what the camp has been—a gathering place where people from all walks of life come together,” Pugh reflected. Dr. Pugh raved as he reminisced about Newton’s leadership saying “When I first joined the Board I wasn’t even sure if Blue Lake was going to make it, but Patric is such a force with a strategic vision.” Pugh continued, “Patric is a non-anxious, visionary leader with a gift for prioritizing; he’s made my job as the Chair so much easier.” “Patric has given his heart to Blue Lake Camp and he’s seen it come full circle… I just can’t say enough good things about him and his leadership,” Pugh concluded.
Blue Lake Camp remains a special place for the United Methodists of Alabama-West Florida. While reflecting on his own experiences at Blue Lake Camp, Dr. Pugh shared, “In the church world we hide behind our robes and structure, but camping ministry doesn’t let you hide behind those things. I love it because it gives me a different avenue to be in ministry—it allows for people to ask questions and grow in their faith.” Paying off the debt has equipped Blue Lake Camp to continue to be the place where disciples grow in their faith. Free from the confines of debt repayment, Blue Lake Camp now has the freedom to pursue updated signage, investing in programming throughout the entire year, and bringing to life the vision that the Blue Lake staff has dreamed of for so long. Board Chair, Dr. Pugh, described his own dream for Blue Lake: “that it will be a place of healing, a safe place where campers can learn about the one who created them.”
Because of the generosity and support of faithful United Methodists, Blue Lake Camp will continue in its legacy of healing, renewal, and hospitality for years to come. If you would like to be a part of Blue Lake Camp,
visit their website for more information. The matching gift is still active if you would like to prayerfully consider making a gift to Blue Lake Camp. To continue in your generous support of camping ministry in Alabama-West Florida go to
https://bluelakecamp.com/be-the-spark/. An investment in Blue Lake Camp is an investment back into our future.
