Who We Are
Camping Ministry:
Impact 2818 is the camping ministry of the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church.
The ministry is comprised of 7 campsites:
- Epworth Forest Conference Center : North Webster, IN
- Camp Adventure : Pierceton, IN
- Camp Lakewood : Wolcottville, IN
- Pine Creek Camp : Pine Village, IN
- Camp Mone'to : Nashville, IN
- Camp Indi-Co-So : Springville, IN
- Camp Rivervale : Mitchell, IN
Our primary programming focus is in summer, residential, and Christian Camping. Our facilities are also available year round for retreats and meetings for all ages and occasions.
What's With the Name?
People are always wondering, "What's this whole Impact 2818 thing about?". Well, the answer is simple really: Matthew 28:18-20 - the Great Commission. Jesus Christ gave us all the mission of going into the world making disciples.
In the end, our desire is to leave a lasting impact on this world as we reveal the transforming power of Jesus Christ.
What We Do
Impact 2818 Mission:
Our camping ministry makes disciples for Jesus Christ by creating short-term communities in which persons experience the Christian faith.
Impact 2818 Vision:
Impact 2818 is a Local Church Centered Ministry. People of all ages are seeking community and real relationships. Spending time together at camp can turn a group of acquaintances into a fellowship that will love, support and hold one another accountable. If that group continues to meet together, the community continues. The local church is the primary vehicle for fostering relationships and making disciples. Impact 2818 fosters development of relationships and groups by offering programs and facilities to church groups that keep communities together throughout the experience and beyond.
Ministry Objectives:
We will serve the local church and be an extension of their ministries
We will share God’s love with every guest at all Impact 2818 Camp Sites
We will create a safe, comfortable environment, where people experience Christian community
We will provide high quality facilities and services for all guests
We will provide relevant, age appropriate programming for all campers
What We Teach
Impact 2818 Statement of Faith:
We believe that God has provided redemption for all people through His Son, Jesus Christ, and that He provides support and guidance for believers through the Holy Spirit. We believe that camping has Biblical foundations, offering places to follow the example set by Christ and His disciples to withdraw from everyday life for spiritual reflection. And equips campers to apply Christian beliefs and actions to their daily lives.
Core Values
We value mission – We are mission focused and purpose orientated. We learn, risk change. We demand quality and growth.
We value people – We value the lost and all who are seeking Christ. Physical, emotional, and spiritual safety is a necessary starting point.
We value community – We assist and encourage personal spiritual growth through relationships with fellow believers .
We value stewardship - We understand our role as a steward of all God’s blessings.
Our History
Impacting People:
The Outdoor Ministries of Impact 2818 is the product of over 90 years of history. It consists of seven unique camp sites operating as a ministry of the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church.
In 2002, the four camps from the former North Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church, Epworth Forest Conference Center, Camp Adventure, Pine Creek Camp and Camp Lakewood were merged. These four existing camp sites became one purpose driven, cooperative, camping ministry known as Impact 2818. This merge allowed the newly created cooperative to form a more effective, relevant and progressive camping ministry that connects young campers and their families for Jesus Christ.
In 2009, Impact 2818 joined forces with The Outdoor Ministries of the South Indiana Conference camps. This ministry now has seven camp sites and a slew of programming and retreat options to serve most anybody in Indiana.
It's difficult to provide an exact number on just how many people the collective camping ministries of the UMC have impacted over their 90+ years of evangelism and service. Our programmed summer camps and facilities for retreats have served the spiritual needs of over a million people. Bishops, pastors, teachers, fathers, business leaders, children...all and so many more have had their lives altered as they encounter God in a unique and uncommon place.
The Past Behind Us
Camp Mone'to, Camp Rivervale and Camp Indi-Co-So
Historical information on these camps will be made posted as it becomes available.
Epworth Forest Conference Center
Long before Impact 2818, computers, and Pop-Rocks...organized youth ministry was being birthed by the Methodist Church, the Epworth League, which later became known as MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship). This group developed ground breaking concepts of week long events for youth to gather, worship, study scripture and fellowship. They called the camp, Institute.
Institute first began in 1916 meeting at an Evangelical United Bretheren Camp, Oakwood Park. The camp quickly outgrew the facility and purchased Epworth Forest CC grounds in 1923 on the shores of Lake Webster. The first buildings constructed were the Auditorium, Epworth Hotel with a kitchen and dining room (Freeland House) and a craft hall. The first Senior High Institute at Epworth Forest Conference Center was held in 1924 with 1,334 youth registered.
Since that early beginning, Epworth Forest Conference Center has continued to grow and continues to be the site for Senior High programming, as well as for Camp REYOAD, a camp for adults with special needs, and Royal Family Kids Camp, a partnership camp for at risk children.
Camp Lakewood
Camp Lakewood, located in Northeast Indiana, was originally owned and operated by the Evangelical United Brethren Church. It began with a gift of 92 acres from Mr. Elmer Seagley. Additional land was purchased in 1999. The camp has been used for elementary age children since 1954.
When the Evangelical United Brethren and the Methodist Churches joined in 1968, Camp Lakewood became part of the North Indiana Conference Camping Ministry. This is a four season rustic camp facility located on Lake of The Woods near South Milford, Indiana.
Camp Lakewood has progressed from accommodations for 40 to its present capacity of 166. The two main lodges are winterized and can accommodate 50 people for year round retreats. Summer campers are housed in cabins. Camp Lakewood serves over 800 children in elementary and mini camps each year.
Pine Creek Camp
Pine Creek Camp, located in West Central Indiana, was purchased in 1957 to assist in expanding the camping ministry in the Northwest Indiana Conference. When the Methodist Church and Evangelical United Brethren churches merged in 1968, Pine Creek became part of the North Indiana Camping ministry. Pine Creek Camp consists of over 332 acres. Its main focus is elementary and horse camp programming.
The Horse Camp began in 1993. This continues to grow and expand. A family camping area continues to be very popular. There are RV hookups and Yurt cabins. An outdoor Jr. Olympic pool is another popular attraction during the summer months. The newest program feature is the swing, suspended between 52-foot poles that promise an exciting rush of emotion.
Pine Creek is a rustic site but has some year around facilities. With only 25 percent of its land developed, there is a great potential for growth and expansion in the future.
Camp Adventure
In the year 1928, during Senior High Institute at Epworth Forest, a small group of young boys met under the direction of Edgar Moore for the beginning of what was called Boyville. 33 boys slept in tents and enjoyed a program of games, military drills, boating, swimming, athletic events and religious services. Boyville continued to grow, and in 1933 Moore Hall was constructed by a group of volunteers. A similar program was started for girls and was called Girlville. This was held in private cottages on the grounds.
In 1941 Boyville and Girlville were merged into Camp Adventure (held at EFCC), a camp for Junior High age youth. Pell Lodge was the central building for Camp Adventure, and six log cabins were clustered near it. More cabins were built in the l950’s. Because of continuing growth, and the lack of space for expansion, a new site was suggested for Camp Adventure.
Epworth Hills (known as the Back 40) was purchased in 1958. This was to be the new site for Camp Adventure. Then, in 1961, a farm of 110 acres with frontage on Backwater Lake was purchased. One third of the tract is solid ground and the rest is swampy area and includes part of a large island and three or four smaller islands. The camp was ready for use in 1962.
It has continued to grow, and more buildings have been added. Lookout Lodge is winterized and open for retreats all year. There is a Wilderness Camp area and several cabin clusters. Camp Adventure also has a high and low ropes course and a swimming pool. Meals are prepared and served in Lookout Lodge
