A groundbreaking celebration at Camp Arrah Wanna revealed a campground from a bygone era; historic lodges in need of major structural renovations and facilities and lodgings whose rustic accommodations and outdated bathrooms seem to offer more of an experience “roughing it” than the general “glamping” amenities that are found in many contemporary getaways.

The groundbreaking for the renovation of the upstairs lodge quarters marked
the beginning of an ambitious $3.6 million “Generations of Promise”
fundraising campaign to update the main lodges, overhaul the campgrounds
and add additional staff to handle daily operations.

The small, mostly senior aged crowd gathered for the June 2 ceremony of the
renovation campaign at the main lodge were eager to share the importance of
the camp throughout all stages of their lives and their hopes of finding a way
to make the camp maintain relevance to younger generations as well as meet
the changing expectations for retreat facilities both religious and secular.

Camp Arrah Wanna was established by The American Baptist Churches (ABC)
of Oregon as a nonprofit camping ministry.

The camp was originally located along the South Santiam River in the region
that is currently Cascadia State Park.

Seth Young, former camp director, moved the camp to its current location in
1941, and his family has been deeply involved with running the camp for
three generations. “A lot of lives have been changed up here,” Seth said
during a luncheon for the groundbreaking. “I hope it stays a beacon for God,”
he added when discussing the plans for the camp’s future.

His granddaughter, Laura Young Burch is the current camp executive director
and is organizing the revitalization campaign with her father Paul Young. Paul
detailed their plan to make the grounds more adult and group friendly, as well
as efforts to support the local community by providing firewood and serving as
a shelter during floods or power outages.

He explained that 75 to 90 percent of camp guests in recent years were not
affiliated with the ABC and added that funding for the camp was always
difficult. His father Seth said fewer young ABC churchgoers were attending the
camp currently then in prior years.

The first phase in updates to attract renewed interest in the camp is a $1.7
million, five-year plan that begins with renovating main lodge guest quarters,
performing extensive foundation repair to the main lodge and overhauling the
dining hall. The plan includes transforming a secondary 55 person sleeping
capacity lodge by remodeling bathrooms, updating bedrooms and improving
interior meeting spaces.

The second phase of the plan involves creating year-round staff housing,
conference style facilities and adding additional staffing and operations
support.

At the time of the groundbreaking $652,00 had been pledged toward the
campaign from individuals and a grant.

Camp Arrah Wanna is located at 24075 East Arrah Wanna Boulevard.
The camp can be contacted by phone at 503-622-3189 and via email at
info@camparrahwanna.org.