Camp Meeting Memories by Shirley Chipman
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ocated in the pines of Yavapi National Forest in Prescott, Arizona on 168 acres and at an elevation of 5,400 feet, Camp Yavapines has for many years been a unique camping experience for Seventh-day Adventists. Still thought of as “rustic” camping, there are now over 240 cabins located near bath houses, 125 RV and camper sites and 40 tent sites. The cafeteria, dome-covered pavilion, chapel and meeting rooms make gatherings such as camp meeting enjoyable. The modern gymnasium, Olympic-size swimming pool and Campfire Bowls add to the fun and adventure for campers. Those who have attended camp meeting for a number of years remember quite a different scenario. David Hilbers, who has been attending camp meetings since 1958 when his parents brought him as an infant, remembers the sound of the trains passing by during meetings.
Camp historians Shirley and Florence.
Arizona
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“When the train came by traveling from Skull Valley into Prescott, the speaker had to stop until it passed. It was just too loud.” “The front seat of The earliest Seventh-day Adventist camp meeting in Arizona took place in Phoenix on the Conference Office grounds. our 1951 Nash Rambler laid back to make into a bed,” remembers through the deep, deep snow, to see Dixie Bartos, who first attended with if there was any damage. He found husband George in 1955. “In our that the roof of the dome had come 57 years of camp meetings at Camp down under the weight of the snow. Yavapines we have stayed in a tent “My father had been baptized ten behind a station wagon, in cabins, years earlier, and always took such a in a camper, then we advanced to a great interest in the camp grounds. trailer and now a motor home.” He attended faithfully every year Dorothy Erwin remembers as until his death in 1983.” a Junior, “There was a white line Your camp meeting memories are painted down the middle of the a part of our history,” says Florence room. Boys on one side and girls on Darby, Arizona Conference worker. the other. Our leader often reminded “We would like to record them to us that he needed to see the white keep them alive.” line. The last Sabbath when we Contact Shirley Chipman or went to sing at the big pavilion, Florence Darby at the Arizona we made the rafters ring with our Conference Office, P.O. Box 12340, enthusiasm!” Scottsdale, Ariz., 85267 or email Old wood cabins with knot holes shirleychipman@azconference.org or in the floors and walls and the big florencedarby@azconference.org to old main tent stand out in Virginia share your camp meeting memories Boyett’s mind. She also remembers a and early photos. All photos will be lot of rain – and a lot of blessings. scanned and returned immediately. A vivid memory for Darlys Also stop by to see Shirley or Robertson is the big snowstorm Florence at camp meeting in the of 1970. Her father hiked over to Communication office, across from the campground, about a half mile the pavilion.