Camp Lebanon, Upsala MN

CAMP LEBANON: 58 YEARS OF MINISTRY

Who could have dreamed 58 years ago all that God had in store for a special ministry called Camp Lebanon? Certainly not the original group of men and women from over 20 Minnesota Conservative Baptist Churches who purchased 46 acres on the north side of Cedar Lake from an Upsala banker named Axel Borgstrom. That effort was led by an Upsala farmer named Sidney Anderson and his son, Ray, who pastored a church in St. Cloud. With a vision to provide summer camp ministries for the youth in Minnesota, the Cedar Lake Baptist Assembly, Inc. was organized. Through the years facilities have been built and renovated and programs have been added and expanded to reach youth, families, and adults with the love of Christ. One-hundred-forty-six children attended the first camps in 1947. Today Camp hosts nearly 10,000 guests a year. Camp Lebanon’s most exciting days may be just ahead! Come and be a part of this exciting history.

1946	Effort initiated to secure camp site for Minnesota Baptist youth.
1947	46 acres, 6 buildings purchased for $6,000. First camps held. Swamp filled.
1948	Cedar Lake Baptist Assembly incorporated with 15 charter members. First two cabins built. Herb Hazzard, State Youth Director, programs summer ministry.
1949	Sidney Anderson hired as Grounds Superintendent. Ten cabins and Dining Hall built.
1952	Modern sanitation facilities installed.
1954	Chalet's upper level (Main Hall) added.
1956	Two more cabins constructed.
1957	Basketball court poured.
1960	Cement poured for volleyball court.
1962	Ballfield expanded to present size.
1963	Herb Hazzard named Camp's first "General Director."
1964	Dining Hall expanded on lower level.
1965	Family camp ministries inaugurated.
1966	Record summer: 832 youth campers!
1969	Chalet renovation: decks, loft, game rooms added.
1970	A-Frame Prayer Chapel completed.
1971	New swim raft. Activities Center built. Booster Club initiated.
1974	Larry and Marj Magnuson join staff as Camp Managers.
1975	Health Center/Apartment constructed.
1976	Sewer system upgraded. Tennis courts added. Record year: 3,355 campers!
1977	East showerhouse built.
1978	Kitchen remodeled.
1983	Dining Room refurbished.
1985	New LP cabin heaters installed.
1986	Bill & Lisa Abeler begin Camp Lebanon ministries.
1987	40th Birthday Celebration! West showerhouse constructed.
1989	Phil Gerth joins staff as Maintenance Manager. Cedar Bay Lodge opens a new era of ministry. New shop finished.
1990	Birch Point Cottage and Sparrow () Cabin erected. First Quilt & Stitch.
1991	Split rail fencing, west sidewalks installed.
1992	Linda Day inaugurates full-time program ministries. KeyStone wall on lakeshore. Lisa Knettel named Food Services Manager. 30,000th summer youth camper. New maintenance residence built. Chalet septic system replaced, second well drilled.
1993	Eagle Ridge purchased. 6000 year-round guests. The Year of the Cabin. New playground. Office building renovated. Partnership begins with Camp Chuparipal.
1994	Scandinavia built.
1995	Dads N Daughters added. Hospitality House partnership begins. Hi "Bob" (Bobcat).
1996	Chalet renovation, expansion. 8000+ guests. Activity Center expanded. Minnesota's first-ever lake-source heat pump installed. New docks. Partnership initiated with Source of Life Camp in Ukraine. 1695 summer youth campers.
1997	50th Birthday! $10,000 quilt auction. Showerhouse renovations. AC in Chalet. Backup generator goes on line. New boat ramp poured, central landscaping.
1998	40,000th summer youth camper. 9200+ guests. Steps of Faith Amphitheater. Clavinova. Fishing dock. $17,500 auction. Eagle Ridge paid off. The team gets bigger: Julie Russell (Guest Ministries); Gordon Olson (Maintenance); Ken & Nancy Ackerman (Host Ministries).
1999	Sunset Cove acreage acquired. Welcome Eric Heipel (Business Manager) and Marcus Nelson, (Office Systems Manager). A-Frame re-roofed. Sea Wasp. 1787 youth campers (585 decisions), Software transition.
2000	10,050 guests. 1818 youth. Bass Point purchased. Last dock. Web site launched. Office renovation. Source of Life Gazebo. Kayaks. Jill Schmoyer (Registrar). International Food Fair I.
2001	$14,500 Quilt Auction. Eagle’s Nest. 10,495 guests. E rik Schmoyer (Site & Motors). $7700 summer missions offering. Buddy Check CD. E CFA status.
2002	Scandinavia renovation. Purchase of the 65-acre Johnson Property. $8860 summer missions offering. 401 summer youth camper decisions. International Food Fair II.
2003	Birch Point, Cedar Bay Lodge renovations. $10,300 summer missions offering. Chris Steele (Guest Ministries) and Carmen Kock (Registrar) join the team. 1400+ Quilt & Scrapbook. Men’s Retreat tops 100 (147!). All Year Long CD. $10,961 Quilt Auction. $7200 Women’s Silent Auction.
2004	Cedar Bay Lodge renovation. Welcome Jim Flaa (Food Service Manager). Record 1820 summer youth (campers, LIT, Sweat Team). Johnson Property paid in full. 200 Explorers. 50,000th camper! Record 1857 summer youth campers (campers, LIT, Sweat Team). Quilt Cookbook.