Little Rockies Christian Camp to celebrate 50th

Little Rockies Christian Camp will celebrate its 50th Anniversary of "training youth for Christian service" during Family Camp starting Friday, August 30 and running through Monday, September 2. An anniversary celebration program will be held Sunday afternoon, September 1 at 3:30 p.m. All former campers and participants are invited to attend.

The camp facilities were originally a Civilian Conservation Corp camp located south of Landusky. The 40 acres were returned to the original owners, Ben and Ruth Phillips. After searching for ways, the facilities could be used, they made contact with the independent non-denominational Christian Churches. The Articles of Incorporation were adopted on October 23, 1953 and the organization "Little Rockies Christian Camping Association" was formed. This was signed by B.M and Ruth Phillips of Landusky, Jess E. VanVoast of Turner, Harry Bucalstein, Minister of 6th Avenue Christian Church in Havre, and Felix McCollum of Malta.

Previously the non-denominational Christian Churches in Havre, Turner, Malta, Fort Benton, Great Falls and Lewistown held Bear Paw Christian Service Camp at the Kiwanis Camp south of Havre in the Bear Paw Mountains.

During the summer of 1969, the camp venue was moved to Little Rockies Christian Camp near Landusky. Much work was done to get the facilities ready for the camping season which included Junior Week (grades fourth through sixth), Junior High Camp (grades seven, eight and nine) and Senior Week for young people going into the tenth grade through graduation. In addition, a Family Camp was held over Labor Day weekend. For the Family Camp, cabins were made available as well as campers encouraged.

Through the years additional camps have been added such as Prospect Camp (2nd and 3rd graders), Rodeo Camp, Basketball Camp and Craft Camp.

Names that stand out as early leaders are: Herman Kooy, Jack Rampleberg, Ron McConkey, Harold Fox, Don Robinson, Rusty Jones, and Harold Hamon.

Besides the original buildings that are used as cabins, a chapel, dining hall, canteen and bath houses, a large multi-purpose building and a pavilion have been added through the years.

Ila Whaley McClenahan of Havre says, "I was baptized in 1962 in the swimming pool at Bear Paw Christian Camp. My husband baptized our daughter Laura McClenahan Scheele at LRCC Family Camp in 1996. What a day of rejoicing it was when our granddaughter Kamryn Scheele was immersed by her father at LRCC on June 27 of this year!"

From generation ... to generation ... to generation, the work of Little Rockies Christian Camp goes on changing lives personally as well as impacting lives around Montana, our country and by missionaries throughout the world.