Camp History - Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain... Psalm 127:1
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Camp Maranatha is owned and operated, as a non-profit organization, by the Advent Christian Conference of Southern California. The campground has been at our current location since 1951. Prior to that (dating back to the early 1920’s), camp meetings were held at a beach-side in Carlsbad, California. The only permanent structure at the Carlsbad location was a kitchen/dining room. The campers slept in tents with a larger tent serving as a meeting hall.
In 1951, Ed Jaffarian, a member of the Advent Christian Church in Pasadena, purchased 25 acres in Idyllwild, California and donated the land to the conference to be used as a campground. Through this generous act, Camp Maranatha was born and many lives have been impacted by Christ's work here. |
At the time of purchase, the land had long been used by a sawmill business. Of the five frame buildings left by that enterprise, two have been modified for camp use today: A portion of the staff housing at Maple Lodge and our Ice Cream Parlor which, in it's former life, served as the sawmill's office. Two others, the original Big Pine Lodge and The Ponderosa, were dismantled in 1998 and 2002. Although rich in history and memories the old buildings were in need of costly repairs and the space was cleared for the construction of the current Big Pine Lodge and the Oak Chapel/Oak Lodge structure.
The first camp meeting was held at Camp Maranatha in 1951. Most campers slept in tents, and they held meetings in the same "Tabernacle Tent" that had been used in Carlsbad. That first summer, the dining hall was under construction. Campers ate on one side while the other was being roofed. When that side was completed it was used for eating while roofing continued on the other side.
Errol and Juanita Hunt served as the camp’s managers for the first twenty years of its existence, and did much to shape the camp’s layout and mission.
In 1971 Dick Beggs stepped in as director and his wife, Nancy, ran the kitchen. After more than thirty years of dedicated service Dick retired in 2003, and Nancy retired in 2007 (though she can still be seen helping out in the kitchen from time to time). Many lives have been impacted through this precious couple’s years of ministry and service.
Following Dick’s retirement in 2003, Keith Shirley took over the director’s position. Keith had served on our summer teen staff and was employed at the camp since 1990 as the facilities manager. With almost 30 years of service Keith retired in October 2018. God has truly blessed this campground over the years with God-fearing leaders who possess vision, servant’s hearts, a genuine love for the Lord, and a desire to see the camp used to the glory of God.
Currently, Brian Reeves is serving Camp Maranatha as director. He, his wife, Katie and their 5 children reside on campus.
Camp Maranatha has come a long way since those early days when campers slept in tents and ate in unfinished buildings. Over the years, the kitchen and dining hall were completed; cabins, meeting halls, restrooms, and shower facilities were constructed; and a swimming pool, volleyball court, and Sunset Bowl were also added. To replace the one original meeting tent, the campground now boasts four meeting halls; Eagle Mountain Tabernacle, Mt. San Jacinto Chapel, Mt. Tahquitz Chapel and Oak Chapel.
The first camp meeting was held at Camp Maranatha in 1951. Most campers slept in tents, and they held meetings in the same "Tabernacle Tent" that had been used in Carlsbad. That first summer, the dining hall was under construction. Campers ate on one side while the other was being roofed. When that side was completed it was used for eating while roofing continued on the other side.
Errol and Juanita Hunt served as the camp’s managers for the first twenty years of its existence, and did much to shape the camp’s layout and mission.
In 1971 Dick Beggs stepped in as director and his wife, Nancy, ran the kitchen. After more than thirty years of dedicated service Dick retired in 2003, and Nancy retired in 2007 (though she can still be seen helping out in the kitchen from time to time). Many lives have been impacted through this precious couple’s years of ministry and service.
Following Dick’s retirement in 2003, Keith Shirley took over the director’s position. Keith had served on our summer teen staff and was employed at the camp since 1990 as the facilities manager. With almost 30 years of service Keith retired in October 2018. God has truly blessed this campground over the years with God-fearing leaders who possess vision, servant’s hearts, a genuine love for the Lord, and a desire to see the camp used to the glory of God.
Currently, Brian Reeves is serving Camp Maranatha as director. He, his wife, Katie and their 5 children reside on campus.
Camp Maranatha has come a long way since those early days when campers slept in tents and ate in unfinished buildings. Over the years, the kitchen and dining hall were completed; cabins, meeting halls, restrooms, and shower facilities were constructed; and a swimming pool, volleyball court, and Sunset Bowl were also added. To replace the one original meeting tent, the campground now boasts four meeting halls; Eagle Mountain Tabernacle, Mt. San Jacinto Chapel, Mt. Tahquitz Chapel and Oak Chapel.