Little Galilee
Christian Camp

A few facts & figures about Little Galilee:

• Started in 1953
• 228 acres
• 17 buildings, including 2 houses; a Game Room; Activity Center; Dining Hall; 3 air conditioned and heated cabins with a sleeping capacity of 36 in each cabin ( a fourth cabin will be ready by summer of 2011, the 3 original Dorms, maintenance building
  with attached offices; winterized Lodge with a sleeping capacity of 56, kitchen and
  great room with seating capacity of about 90
• Approximately 1 1/2 miles of nature hiking trails; a 5 acre lake; Camp Sites for use during Family Camps, Main Camp, Wilderness Camp, and Outpost Camp.
• Little Galilee is one of God’s special places where good things happen with excellent property and facilities.

About the Need for Financial Help

     We charge about 1/2 of the actual expense per camper to attend here. We intentionally keep the fees low so more can attend. 

     We depend on individuals, churches and Sunday School classes to make up the difference.

     Thanks to all who help with financial gifts. You share in every victory for our Lord!

Current Needs

• For you to pray faithfully for this ministry
• For you to encourage your campers – all ages.
• For a large number of individuals to participate in the Kingdom Builders Club and send a monthly gift. These gifts help support the general fund.
• For each participating church to make a gift to the Gideon Club, which will go toward the retrofitting of the three old Cabins, which will be done DEBT FREE! This will allow us to use these buildings during the summer season and also year round. This increases the possible uses of the camp to more people!

What Else?
     Some people may think church camp is only for kids. It’s much more…Sr. Saints Day, Old Testament Walk Through The Bible Seminar, New Testament Walk Thru The Bible Seminar, Men’s Retreat, Ladies Retreat, Singles Retreat. two Scrapbook Retreats,  two Family Camps, a Dads and Lads camp, a Dads and Lads offsite Fishing Camp and a Mom and Daughter camp offer excellent camping opportunities for adults and families!

    Three Oaks Lodge and the our four year round Cabins, Love, Joy, Peace and Patience are booked sometimes a year in advance by various church groups. Churches in this area are blessed with one of the best camps to be found anywhere. Little Galilee Christian Camp belongs to the churches. Let us praise God for this and pray He will continue to bless and direct the affairs of this important ministry. To God be all praise!

A Timeline

1953

• The original 28 acres given by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Reeser and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Reeser, all of Clinton, IL. Bill Junkins, Clinton Christian Church minister was facilitator.
• February 26 — First Board of Directors organized

1954

• Lake built, Dining Hall constructed and plans approved for the first two dorms.

1955

• June 19 — first of two weeks conducted — total of 87 Jr. High and Sr. High campers!

1957

• Swimming pool and bath house constructed.

1958

• Geneviene Farsnsworth started helping with registrations.
• Caretakers house built (Present Manager’s house).

1963

• Genevieve Farsnworth started doing all of registrations (and continues to this date — volunteer).
• Chuck Bartlett hired as part-time program director.
• Frank Lovett hired as part-time program director.
• Chapel and teaching shelters constructed.

1965

• Boys dorm built. Jim Summy hired as part-time manager.

1973

• Gene Johnson called from 9-year ministry at Assumption, IL to be the first full-time manager and Isabel, his wife, to be bookkeeper.

1974

• Kitchen was remodeled.

1976

• Addition to Manager’s House.
• Consultant from Christian Camping International hired to do long range plan.
• January — additional 72.3 acres to the East were purchased.
• September — additional 127.8 acre farm to the West purchased — total now 228 acres.

1979

• Wilderness Camp started

1980

• August — Three Oaks Lodge dedicated with a combined service celebrating 25 years of camping at Little Galilee. The faith and commitment of God’s people has been rewarded once again. Cost of Lodge, $136,000; appraised at $262,000!

1981

• Major renovations of all septic sewage systems and incoming water supply.
• Loan for $230,000 made to pay for the renovation and to consolidate the $65,000 remaining on the land purchase and also to repay Clinton Christian a $63,000 loan on Three Oaks Lodge.
• Early summer Kevin Peterson hired part-time to assist with facilities and grounds care.
• September — Kevin placed on full-time status.

1982

• A $300,000 Capital Fund Campaign is launched to pay off loan and accrued interest over a three year period. (note was burned at a celebration service in January, 1988)
• Utility building and offices built.

1983

• First issue of the Galilean printed.

1984

• Booster Club (now Kingdom Builders) started.
• Wilderness Camp renovated
• Outpost Camp started.

1

• Area Men’s Fellowship pay for basketball court project. (One of many projects by this faithful group.)

1986

• Long Range Plan revisited.

1988

• Roads upgraded.
• Farm house remodeled for Kevin Peterson and family residence.
• Eugene Stephens upgraded electrical service — all buildings. (89-91)

1989

• April — Untimely death of Manager, Gene Johnson. Kevin Peterson named to interim Manager, Isabel would remain the bookkeeper.
• Blair Wagner is called from Rock River Christian Camp, Polo, Il to become our second full-time Manager (moved in Feb. ‘90).

1990

• Long Range Plans made and prioritized.

1991

• Outpost Camp moved to present location.

1992

• Chapel upgraded.

1993

• Plans being considered for a new pool and bath house back in the Lodge area.

1994

• $750,000 bond issue sold to finance this major project, plus the installation of about one half of the utilities necessary for the long range expansion plans of the camp.
• Dining Hall addition

1995

• Old bath house converted to staff quarters.

1998

• September — Bob Philips concluded an 18 1/2 year ministry at Champaign First Christian to become the Development Director for the camp.
• Long Range Plan revisited by the Executive Board.
• December — Blair Wagner resigns as Camp Manager.
• December 31 — Isabel Johnson retires, having concluded 25 years as Bookkeeper.

1999

• January — Camp Manager Search Committee is appointed.
• March 1 — Ken Rutledge is called to be the third full-time Little Galilee Camp Manager.
• In 2000, refinanced the debt and paid off the bonds.
• In November of 2000, the camp launched the "Debt Free in 2003" and Larger Vision Campaign.
• In 2001 John Turney became the part time Assistant Facilities Manager.
• In 2002 the camp launched "The Friends of Gideons Club" to help with the "Debt Free in 2003 and the Larger Vision Campaign.
• In 2002 Sid Foulke was called to be the part time Director of Financial Resources specializing in Estate Planning, assisted by his wife, Nancy.
• In October of 2002 a major gift, a brick duplex in Urbana was received.
• In November of 2002 the mortgage was eliminated, one year early! PTL!
• In December of 2002 we transitioned into the "Larger Vision" phase of the capital campaign.
• The Executive Board accepted the plans for a new Activity Center. The collection of funds began. The Board committed to build this facility debt free!
• In 2004 construction was started on the Activity Center.
• In December of 2004 Dana Dann concluded her work as Office Manager.
• January, 2005 Beverly Angel began working here as the Office Manager.
• On September 4th, 2005 at 2:30 PM, we dedicated the Activity Center, DEBT FREE! PTL! Praise God for those who CAUGHT THE VISION! The cost was $650,000 and appraised at $1,300,000! God is good!
• The Activity Center was used for the 2006 camping season. It is a wonderful facility!
• In 2006 the plans were launched to build the first of four year round use cabins, debt free!
• In February of 2007 Sid Foulke adjust his schedule to to be an Estate Planning Consultant and be on call as needed.
• In the fall of 2007 construction begins on the first cabin, Love.
• In November of 2007 a major gift was received to insure the Love Cabin would be finished sooner Debt Free!
• In May of 2009 the Love Cabin was completed and used for the first time!
• In 2009 construction on cabins two and three began, Joy and Peace!
• In 2010 the Joy and Peace Cabins were finished and used by our Main Campers.
• In 2010 the Patience Cabin construction began, It should be ready by the 2011 camp season.
• In September, 2010, after 52 years of faithful service, Genevieve Farnsworth concluded her service as our volunteer Registrar due to health reasons.
• In the fall of 2010 the renovation began on Girls Dorm 2 to meet other needs.