Celebrating The First 75 Years

God from the beginning of creation, must have intended this spot for a Christian camp.” So declared a bold group of founders who in 1947 purchased 46 acres in central Minnesota to establish a Bible Camp to reach boys and girls for Christ.

The $6000 purchase price included a 46- acre peninsula on Cedar Lake’s north side, six buildings, and the road into the property. Soon a five-inch well was drilled, a heavily wooded swamp cleared and filled, and the first camps organized. A handful of campers pioneered the first summers and by 1950 more than 500 youth registered for summer camp. Camp Lebanon was born!

Herb Hazzard

Under the strong leadership of Sidney Anderson (Grounds Superintendent), Herb Hazzard (first General Director 1948–1975), and many others, the original Master Plan came to life. In 1948 a Dining Hall was built and by the early 1950’s a dozen cabins were erected replacing the old army tents that housed early campers. Twice in the 1960’s the Chalet was enlarged (1964, 1969) and in 1970 an a-frame Prayer Chapel was dedicated with the Activities Center soon to follow in 1971.

Larry & Marj Magnuson

In 1974 Larry and Marj Magnuson (1974- 1985) became the first Camp Managers to live on site as year-round attendance reached 3500. The facilities continued to upgrade with a Health Center (1975) and east showerhouse (1977).

Bill & Lisa Abeler

In 1986, Camp welcomed Bill and Lisa Abeler into leadership, just in time for Camp’s 40th birthday in 1987 and a showerhouse for the west end. The year-round team slowly begun to grow and new ministries were initiated for senior adults, families, and quilters, thanks to the construction of the hotel-like Cedar Bay Lodge (1989), Scandinavia (1994), and a renovated Chalet (1996). With more adults came more kids and soon summer attendance was exploding. By 2000 Camp was serving 1800 summer youth and over 10,000 year-round guests.

Camp was also growing in geography with the purchases of two north lots (1992), Eagle Ridge (1993), Sunset Cove (1999), Bass Point (2000), and the North 40 (2006). A new “Master’s Plan” adopted in 2008 chartered out a bigger vision that in two short years included a new shop, zipline, hiking trails, and a North 40 ballfield.

Looking to the future, full utilization of the now 142-acre site will require three major efforts. Phase I is already underway with construction for a multi-purpose gym scheduled to begin Spring 2023. Phase II is creating a second ministry site on the North 40 by adding beds for 75+ in a second Lodge. The final Phase would be a new dining hall and renovated Chalet to serve an enlarged outreach.

Seventy-five years and 80,000 summer youth campers later, Camp’s program has broadened to 50+ year-round ministries to youth, families, and adults, but the mission is unchanged. Camp Lebanon is still a Bible camp fully dedicated to shining a bright light for the Gospel. In an increasingly dark and broken world, the opportunities have never been greater nor more urgent.

The writers of Camp’s first printed history said it best. “Camp Lebanon has become a sanctuary for many to begin a closer walk with God. From the beginning of its present adaptation, those who have labored to prepare the place for camping have earnestly prayed that multitudes might there gain renewed vision and fresh inspiration and that others might there learn to love their Savior.” Prayers answered. Keep praying!