THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN MADISON COUNTY – CAMP CLARK WILLIAMSON
Camp Clark Williamson is located in northern Madison County on Mason Road off Route 45. It is a church camp began by the West Tennessee Synod of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and now owned by Cornerstone and Mid South Presbytery’s. The history of the camp has varied throughout the years. Its vision is to “Prepare a Sanctuary for all God’s People.” The Camp Clark Williamson Mission statement reads, “The Board of Directors seeks to provide a setting at Camp Clark Williamson where people can be aware of God’s presence, love, and grace as it is revealed in the majesty of His creation.”
The camp is a 116 acre facility in a setting of rolling hills and trees. The wooded hills are in contrast to the five acre lake, and the large open grassy field. The Camp is an exciting place for adventure and exploration physically, mentally, and spiritually. It is a place of solitude. When passing through the gates the normal frantic pace of life is immediately transformed into a sense of peace and tranquility.
The Resident Camp consists of 15 cabins and a large air conditioned dining hall which will accommodate 120 people. There are centralized bathhouses in each the boys and girls area. All the cabins have a screened-in porch. Other facilities include a large air conditioned dining hall with a commercial kitchen and an air conditioned building called the “Activities Building” which can be used multiple ways. Both these buildings have porch swings for relaxation and fellowship. There are several study huts and pavilions for use in outdoor programming. All buildings are within easy walking distance from each other.
There is a 6 acre lake which gives beauty to the camp. It also is home to largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bream which are caught all year-round. Paddle boats also enhance recreational opportunities on the lake. Other recreation offered at Camp Clark Williamson is a swimming pool, basketball, softball, soccer, sand volleyball, horseshoes, hiking, and swinging leisurely on the Dining Hall and Activity Building’s front porch.
Besides Summer Camping, Camp Clark Williamson is conducive to spring and fall weekend retreats. Other uses of the facility include conference & staff meetings, picnics & pool parties, tent & RV camping, church outings, Bible schools, family reunions, educational school field trips, and scouting events .
There are also 2 day camp facilities for those groups who like to tent camp, or host day only picnics and events.
The Savannah Hill Lodge was constructed for the purpose of hosting adult & senior retreats while still providing a place for children & youth. It was dedicated to the Lord on May 7, 2000. It is also a magnificent place to host business meetings, conferences, Christmas parties, reunions and weddings. Its purpose is for year round use. It will accommodate up to 32 people in bunks inside four rooms. It is in a heated and air conditioned environment with each room having its own shower and restroom facilities. The great room will seat 120 at round tables. The log building with its hardwood floors and large stone fireplace give it a cozy feeling everyone enjoys.
As mentioned earlier Camp Clark Williamson’s past has varied. The beginning history came about as a result of the promotion of the Capital Fundraising, and it is being continued because of the 50th anniversary in 2010.
In the late forties and fifties, camping for children and youth became an important aspect of ministry to children and young people. West Tennessee Synod and its four Presbyteries of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church experienced some difficulties in securing facilities to hold their camp.
In 1953, the Synod of West Tennessee received a communication from the General Assembly’s Board of Christian Education asking if the Synod would be interested in assisting in the development of the camp and using it for their camping program. The Synod turned down the request, but the question did raise the issue of the Synod owning its own camp. When Synod met in 1954, the Synod’s Board of Christian Education reported they felt the need for a Synodic owned campsite, but that it should be located near Jackson, Tennessee, which would be near the center of the Synod. The Board felt, however, that because of a denominational campaign to liquidate the debt incurred on the Cumberland Presbyterian Center and the Library Seminary Building at Bethel College, together with the cost of building a camp and providing a full-time caretaker, the Synod should not burden the churches with the cost of building a camp.
The Synod appointed a special commission to study the feasibility of owning and operating a campsite and to work out projected plans and costs. The Commission was composed of Rev. Charles Turner, Rev. W.T. Ingram, Jr., Joe Overton, and Jim McKee.
The Commission reported in the 1955 meeting that it was desirable for the Synod to own a camping facility and while the Synod did not have the resources to develop a facility in the beginning, it could be developed over a period of time. According to Mr. Joe Overton, in 2009, “The original Commission could not make a detailed plan, but did do a couple of things. We did not approve Synod accepting a gift offered of a tract of land near the Tennessee River. The location was not right, and the landscape topography was not right. We did recommend Synod continue the objective by obtaining a suitable site on which to develop. The presentation of needs for owning a camp included that without ownership not only was there difficulty in obtaining a place for camping, but even if a place was available difficulties were great in scheduling a time suitable for those who might be campers, and in scheduling leaders for the camps. This last point was strongly emphasized as being critical to the camping program.”
Mr. Overton also wrote, “Synod did well to direct the Board of Christian Education to find the site and the Board of Finance to function in obtaining it. The original tract was bought from a gent named Roy Mason who lived adjoining. The purchase price was approximately $9,000. The bank from which the money was borrowed to purchase required that all of the members of the Board of Finance would sign. Some were not too happy about that, but they did. I remember that two me were real leaders on the Board of Christian Education; Rev. Blake Warren, Pastor of the Milan Church and Chester Parham from the Jackson Church. The decision to operate with a separate Board was certainly appropriate. “He added, “The camp, from the beginning, has had a history of a great deal of cooperation and donations of various kinds from individuals and churches. This has always been the case and needs to be in the future.”
In August 1956, the Board obtained the property now owned on Mason Road. The Synod approved the purchase and authorized the funding to purchase the property and to build the lake.
The Board of Finance and the Board of Christian Education proposed to the Synod in 1957 that the site be given to the General Assembly’s Board of Christian Education to be developed as a denominational conference grounds for the entire church. West Tennessee Synod would be given priority in scheduling of camps and the camp would become the site of NACPYF (National Assembly of Cumberland Presbyterian Youth Fellowship.) The Synod turned the proposal down and instructed the Board to develop a master plan for the camp and encourage churches and groups to provide materials and labor to assist in its building.
The lake was finished in 1959, at least in part, by the Maple Springs Church. Several churches built cabins including Ebenezer, East Side, Central, Dyer, and Milan. Other cabins were provided by the Memphis Men’s Fellowship, and the D.W. Ramer and Challengers Classes of the Jackson Church. A worship center was built by the Bell’s Chapel Church. By 1960, facilities included 11 cabins, a dining hall, with kitchen and cooks quarters, bath houses, a well, and a swimming pool. The first camp was held in 1960.
The Beginning of Camp Clark Williamson
By: Grady Fowler Jr.
(This story appeared in the November/December, 1996 issue of CCW’s Campfire Newsletter.)
I am not sure when the idea of Camp Clark Williamson started, or why the camp ended up here in West Tennessee. I do know that at one time the western part of Henderson County north of Beech Bluff (close to Maple Springs CP Church) was considered for the campsite. That area is known for its natural springs, hills, and hollows which would have made a good location for a lake and a campsite. I am sure there were other locations considered also. I do not know who made the final decision as to where the camp would be located.
I do know why my daddy, Grady Fowler, Sr., was selected to help with the construction at Camp Clark Williamson. At that time, he was in the timber business. He had several pieces of dirt moving equipment. He was a deacon at Maple Springs CP Church. I suppose that helped a little.
I was a teenager at Beech Bluff School then, and I was out of school for the summer. We made a trip to the campsite to make preparation for moving equipment and start construction. At that time (in the late 1950’s), moving heavy equipment over rural roads and over wooden bridges was a task.
Back in those days, after you got your crop laid by, if you could work to make fifty cents an hour working ten hours a day ($5.00/day), that was considered good pay. You could always find plenty of good workers. My daddy had mostly family and relatives working for him. I remember daddy’s brothers, Uncle Curry and Uncle Lee (Leslie) worked on the lake. Uncle Elco worked on the weekends feeding the stock. Mother’s brother, Sherman Blankenship and Clyde Russell drove the mules and horses. Leroy Evans, O’Neal Thomas and Harold Wilkins drove the bulldozers and dirt pans moving dirt.
The campsite was made up of steep hills, heavy woods, thick vines, briars, yellow jackets and snakes. The surveying and soil testing had been completed. The timber was cut and logged first, then the long hot job of moving and piling tree tops to be burned had to be completed. This had to be done before the digging and dirt moving could begin. This is where I come into the picture. I must have picked up a trainload of wood and chunks and limbs to be burned. (There was nothing like a nice hot fire to keep you warm in July.)
The dirt for the levee at the south end of the lake came from the hill where the pool in now. The ground there was so hard I had to drive a ’53 Model Ford Tractor, using a sub-soiler, to loosen up the dirt for the dirt pans to pick up.
One of the good memories from that summer was lunchtime. We would drive over to Medina for lunch. We would go to the “Suits Us Café” to eat. At that time, I was a hefty 260 lb. teenage boy. All I made that summer was what I ate. My daddy would have been better off to pay me by the hour. I could eat two or three of those big “Suits Us Café” hamburgers!
Besides the hot, tiresome days of hard work, the only bad memory I have was almost getting myself killed one afternoon. At the end of the day, my job was to ride one of the big Belgian mares up the hill to the big red barn on the main road. I had to take her harness off, and feed her. If you have ever lived on a farm, or know anything about horses, you know that when they get in sight of the barn where they are fed, they will begin to run toward the barn. Well, this is what happened. That 2,000 lb. mare started running toward the barn. I tried to jump off, but my leg got caught in the harness. You can just imagine what that was like. A 2,000 lb. mare and a 260 lb. boy going through a very narrow stable door. It took all the hide off my back. I was mashed up against the wall for about thirty minutes, but it seemed like a lifetime. When I did not show up at the main road, some of the men came to look for me. I sure was glad to see them! The good Lord and I had been discussing how I was going to get out of that place.
As I looked back at those memories, and all the planning and hard work that brought Camp Clark Williamson to what it is now, I think it was well worth the effort.
This year, 1996, in June, my home church, Maple Springs CP, enjoyed a weekend retreat at Camp Clark Williamson. My family, which consists of my wife, my daughter, six grandchildren, my mother Irene Fowler (who is 80 years young), my Uncle Elco, who is the last of the Fowler brothers, my brother, my sister, and their families attended this retreat. My nephew, Colby Fowler, made the most important decision of his life this weekend.
I hope my children, and grandchildren, will continue to support Camp Clark Williamson in the future.
Grady Fowler Jr.
Rev. Bill Ivey, currently residing in Knoxville, TN, recalls the following, “I had the privilege of serving as director of the first camp that was held at Camp Clark Williamson. The Junior Camp of Obion Presbytery was held at the West Tennessee Synodic Camp site on June 5 – 11, 1960. 72 campers attended and the theme for the week was ‘God at Work in His World.’ Just weeks before the opening date of the Junior Camp I kept hearing, “The camp is not quite finished. However, don’t worry it will be completed by June 5.” It was completed. Late in the afternoon on the first day, after all the parents had gone home, the well pump stopped working. That meant there was no water for the camp. The pump was removed and I believe was flown to St. Louis for repair. A tank truck of water was brought to the camp to provide water. I remember one Junior girl struggling to carry a pail of water up the hill to her cabin. She said: ‘Now, I know how grandmother must have felt.’ The pump was returned the day before camp closed on June 11. It really was not missed. I had to be away from camp on the evening of June 8 in order to graduate from the Cumberland Presbyterian Seminary in McKenzie. Rev. Jose Farardo was the speaker. Later that summer I served as recreation director for the West Tennessee Synodic Junior High Camp, July 25 – 30. Rev. H. E. Dill, pastor of Brunswick Cumberland Presbyterian Church, was the director.”
In 1961, class pavilions were built by the Double Springs Church, the Challengers Class of Jackson and the Memphis Men’s Fellowship. Another cabin was added by the Holly Grove Church in 1964.
The first swimming pool was a pool with a plastic liner. It plagued the camp from the beginning. It was rebuilt several times before sufficient resources were obtained to build the present concrete pool in 1966.
In 1969, the Gibson County Men’s Fellowship enlarged the Number 1 cabin by adding an additional room and a bath.
Maintenance and upkeep for several years was done by volunteer people and a summer employee. Due to lack of supervision, vandalism, wear and tear took a heavy toll through the years.
The need for a residence and a full-time resident caretaker as well as a lodge was envisioned by the Board almost from the beginning. There were never sufficient funds to build a residence and employ a full-time person.
In 1970, the Board of Christian Education did a survey of the churches of the Synod regarding the use of Camp Clark Williamson, its continued ownership and development, as well as other needs of the Synod. The Board reported that there was support in the Synod for the continued development of the camp including the building of a residence and employment of a resident caretaker. In September 1972, Rev. Eugene Leslie was employed as Administrator.
In 1976, the Jackson YMCA made some proposals to Camp Clark Williamson that would allow them to operate day camps on the property. Funding from the Dyersburg Church helped build a road to access the property across the lake from the camp. Through donated materials and labor, a pavilion was built that allowed the YMCA to operate their day camps. They continued to do so for the next three years when they decided to discontinue camping as an activity.
In the next few years some of the cabins were winterized, bath facilities were built at the swimming pool, the tennis court was paved, a baseball and football field was developed, two rooms were added to the residence to provide for office space from funding provided by the Medina Church, and two additional cabins that accommodate twelve persons were built.
After Rev Leslie resigned as Administrator, Billy “Buzz” Sawyer was employed as camp administrator/caretaker through 1984.
Following him Randy Leslie was employed for six years, March 1985 through 1991. During this time of the late 1980’s the Mae Westbrook Memorial Bridge was constructed across the lake.
In 1991 Randy Leslie resigned, and in April 1992 the present Administrator, Mike Hannaford, was employed.
In 1992 the Coleman Memorial gazebo was constructed. All the cabins were adopted by Presbyterial churches. Workdays each spring have brought out many volunteers who have added tremendously to the camp’s ministry.
In 1993 a boatdock was built and paddleboats added to the lake. A class study hut and large picnic pavilion at the ballfield were also built. Heaters in the shower houses and an underground water storage tank system were installed to become a year-round usable camp. The residence was bricked and its flat roof raftered and re-roofed. The Camp Board hosted a two day outdoor concert on August 7 & 8. It was on the back ballfield with a covered stage made out of a flatbed trailer. Saturday was a contemporary Christian music concert featuring Priscilla Engle and Mark Pay from Muncie, Indiana. Sunday was reserved for Southern Gospel where the Florida Boys from Springdale, Arkansas and the Harvest Quartet from Milan were featured.
In 1994 the memorial canteen and equipment shed were constructed. Also another class study hut was built. A new furnace placed in the dining hall, and a well was dug at the day camp #1 area intended mainly for the lake. The first Brush Arbor was held inviting people from across the Presbytery to come to camp and unite in singing, fellowship and communion.
In 1995 the girls bathhouse was remodeled. A full paint job, new ceramic floor tile, new sinks and cabinets, mirrors and lighting were added. Construction of a heated and air conditioned activity building began. Besides having a handicapped accessible restroom and shower in it, it will provide a nice meeting place or indoor worship area. Six more cabins had heaters added. Presbytery authorized the Board of Directors to begin a Capital Fundraising Campaign for the 5,000 square foot Lodge. In 1995 the camp hosted 6,000 visitors including resident campers, weekend retreat campers and those only in camp for the day or to swim. On June 1 of this year the Capital Campaign for the new lodge was officially started.
In June 1996 dirt work by Hill Brothers Construction began in preparing the building site for the new lodge.
In 1997 the boy’s bathhouse was remodeled like the girls. A full paint job, new ceramic floor tile, new sinks and cabinets, mirrors and lighting were added. Although the Activities Building has been used it was completed this year with the bathroom being finished and the air conditioner unit installed. Lodge construction in 1997. The concrete slab was poured on April 24. Delivery of the logs for the building came in June. Construction workers placing logs began and by October the doors, windows, porches and roof was installed. The fireplace was completed.
May 7, 2000 the Savannah Hill Lodge was dedicated to the Lord in a service at the Lodge. The key to the Lodge was presented to Molly Williams, West Tennessee Presbytery Moderator, and Rev. Jimmy Cantey brought the dedicating sermon.
In 2004 the old original walk boards and rails were replaced on the bridge that crosses the lake. New benches under the bridge gazebo were also built. Cabins #2 (Mt. Zion CP) and #3 (Faith CP) had their new screened-in porches completed for summer camp. The camp had a website created. It is www.campclarkwilliamson.com.
In the fall 2005: Camp Made Available for Shelter!
After the destruction of Hurricane Katrina FEMA called the camp asking if it could be used as an emergency shelter for victims escaping the gulf coast. The following was an informational newsletter blip that CCW ran at that time.
“By now everyone knows of the massive destruction of Hurricane Katrina both to people and to property.
In the days following the hurricane the camp Board of Directors called upon Presbytery relating the inquiries from FEMA about using the camp facilities as a shelter. The Presbyterial Council met and unanimously decided to offer it to FEMA.
In support of councils decision the Board of Directors went to work submitting an offer to FEMA. Upon this offering FEMA determined it was not necessary to use the camp’s facilities at this time.
Isn’t it great our Presbytery has a ministry it has used for 45 years of camping, and could also possibly be used for a ministry such as this? We appreciate a presbytery whose heart goes out to people in time of need.”
In 2006 cabins #15 (Milan CP) and #18 (Concord CP) had their new porches completed for summer camp. The long time gravel roads were updated with asphalt being put down from the entrance down the big hill, from the entrance to the Savannah Hill Lodge and to the residence and shop.
In 2007 the old concrete block showers and the floor in the girls’ showerhouse was torn out over the winter and replaced by new fiberglass showers and new ceramic tile with new plumbing. Cabin #11 (Jackson CP) had its new porch addition completed for summer camp. Camp Clark Williamson was incorporated by the State of Tennessee. The old dirt county road “No Name Road” which comes to the back of camp was graded and graveled by Madison County making it a usable emergency entrance and exit in to the camp.
In 2008 cabin #17 (Mt. Ararat CP) had its new porch addition completed for summer camp. Cabin #4 (adopted by Family of Will Orr) porch addition and cabin remodel was dedicated in memory of Will Orr of the Dyer CP Church by his family and friends. This included an all weather porch with closing windows, ceramic tile throughout, new bunks, new replacement windows in the old cabin, and new paint inside and out.
In 2009 the swimming pool and basketball court have had new outdoor lighting and major fence repair completed for camping season. A new split rail fence was installed at the camp entrance along Mason Road, and a new automated gate was installed for security purposes.
During the first five decades the largest week long group to have ever camped at the Resident Camp was 156 campers and staff at the West Tennessee Presbyterial Junior #2 Camp held July 23-28, 2007. The Directors of this camp was Cecil and Gloria Covert. The largest Senior High Camp ever held at the Resident Camp was June 23-28, 2008 when 121 high school campers and staff came to camp for the week.
The Brush Arbor at CCW was a regular fall event for 13 years, from 1994 to 2006, providing a time when the Presbyterial churches and people could gather for fellowship and worship. It was a time where people could come to camp and see the splendor of the outdoors in the fall. Most years it was held outside on a stage and would conclude about dark. Throughout the years there were several persons who served as Brush Arbor Chairmen. They included Terry Davidson from Jackson, Bill Jones from Lexington, Jim Smith from Memphis, Don McCurley from Milan, and Connie Flowers from Dyer.
The event featured church choirs who would perform two or three numbers on a stage for the entire congregation. Ten to fifteen choirs would take turns performing and at the end of the singing a combined choir would perform before the communion service. Communion would be the days’ final event and included a communion speaker, multiple stations and about a dozen elders to host the stations.
Others parts of the Brush Arbor include lunch on the grounds, camp tours, singing events for the youth, organized sand volleyball tournament, hiking tours, and recognition of special camp volunteers, including those who received the 150 hour club honor, and cabin adopting churches.
Men who received the 150 Hour Club Award over the years were Bud Dedman, Jamie Walker, and Jim Cowan from the Bells Chapel CP Church, Lowell Ellis from Faith CP Church, David Orr from Dyer CP Church, Paul McReynolds from Trimble CP Church , Perry Mullins from the Faith CP Churchand Jerry Petty from Troy CP Church.
Since 1992 the camp has had five men who worked in a maintenance and administrator aid role. They are Claude Orton from Milan, Bobby Smith from Gadsden, David Huey from Medina, Larry Stafford from Henderson, and Mark Wells from Jackson.
The current members of the Camp Clark Williamson Board of Directors for 2009 are George Butler from Newbern CP, Jimmy Stafford and Steve Marshall from Holly Grove CP, Tammy Herrington and Dwayne Pounds from Olivet CP, Russell Little from Double Springs CP, Gene McReynolds from Jackson First CP, June Perritt from McKenzie First CP, Jerry Petty from Troy CP, Barry Reed and Danny Robinson from Humboldt First CP, and Hobert Walker from the Rutherford CP Church. This Board of Directors is a working Board who works from a vision to build a better tool for the Lord’s ministry.
Board Members of the Synodic Camp Committee include Bob Rutledge, Clinton Buck, Marjorie Black, Jesse Freeman, James Westbrook, Joe Vaught, Scott McKee, Ron McMillan, Helen Williams, Walter Butler, Robert Hardin, Dana Kuhn, Jimmy Morris, Robert Prosser, Rogers Warren
CCW Board Members since 1992 also include Gray Bawcum, Jimmy Cantey, Cecil Covert, Daphne Cupples, Joyce Estes, Charles Garrett, Mary Griffin, Steve Hamilton, Haskel Jerrolds, Pat Jones, Andy Kendall, Pee Wee Maughan, Dennis May, Randall Mayfield, Paul McReynolds, Mike Minton, Doug Oakley, Tom Orr, Dalton Russom, Kelly Shepherd, William Sims, Jimmy Winters, Bart Williams, Jean Garrett, Jody Hill, Jimmy Davis, Terry Hansen, David Morris, Larry Arendale, Lee Hyden, Jim Kennedy, Jean King.
Second part of our story by Gwen McReynolds
What has thus far been written pertains mainly to the work supervised by the Board of Directors, maintenance, planning, construction, and camp operation. Another important aspect of the camp history has to do with programming. This work is supervised by the Presbyterial Board of Christian Education. It involves camp staffing, leadership training, curriculum selection, camp scheduling, and administration of camp living. Every camp is unique, but typically there are similarities in starting every camp. Camp begins a long time before the campers arrive for their first day of camp. An organized, dedicated and able staff does much preparation. Typically, camp directors gather staff members months before the first day of camp. Curriculum resources are chosen. Staff training is scheduled and takes place. As the general rule, staff gathers the evening before the first day of camp to make final preparations and learn to work as team to minister. An evening meal is shared. Opening registration begins on Monday as streams of vehicles rolls into the parking areas at the pavilion and dining hall. Records are completed, camp fees are paid, campers are assigned to cabins, and parents help as campers settle into the cabins.
The swimming pool opens–children change into swimming attire and race to the pool. The sun lowers on the western horizon and the dinner bell summons all to supper. There is a time of excitement, getting acquainted, introduction of staff. The cafeteria is air conditioned, after the grace for the meal, campers dive into eat- some dive in and eat heartily, others turn up their noses, but there is a loud conversational noise. After the meal there are periods of recreation, vespers, canteen. Then comes bedtime. There will be those who will encounter homesickness; but for most it is hard to get to sleep.
A new day dawns, children are excited over a day filled with varied activities; walk to the bath house, dressing, breakfast, making bed, cleaning cabins, study groups, cool-aide break, back to study group, give thanks, lunch, quiet time, hike to the pool or softball, or volley ball or basketball. Soon tired, sunburned, hungry campers trudge to canteen crafts, supper. Mail call, vespers, recreation, and closing worship at the lake with garden lights twinkling and the world alive with insect sounds, and campers singing, and praying.
Later in the week there will be talent and stunt night, perhaps a bonfire and storytelling, a night walk with flashlights aglow looking for spiders in their webs in the trees, going to the canteen for watermelon, and perhaps a dance. There is a theme present in class for the week and new experiences flood into campers lives as god makes himself known in relationships, nature, and many acts of love. Ah! Camp is good a blessed tradition of many CP youth over the last 50 years at ccw. In one week during the summer, they learn about faith, relationships–they try new experiences–they grow and some make friendship and commitments which are life transforming.
Traditions at camp Clark Williamson
A Camp Clark Williamson tradition, going back before the establishment of CCW to the time that Clark Williamson participated in camp ministries is singing the song, “around the mess hall you must go.” it is sung to the familiar nursery rhyme tune of “London Bridge is Falling Down:
Around the mess hall you must go,
You must go, you must go, you must go,
John and Mary,
Holding hands, if you please, if you please,
If you please, if you please, john and Mary.
This was often sung with great enthusiasm. Campers would rush and look out the window to watch John and Mary pass by.
Another Clark Williamson fun song was sung with great enthusiasm when the director arose to make an announcement. The campers would loudly sing:
Announcements, announcements, announcements;
A terrible death to die, a terrible death to die,
A terrible death to be talked to death, a terrible
Death to die: announcements, announcements, announcements.
Many times this was sung for 5 repetitions or more.
Worship–
The vesper area was built in a wooded clearing on top of a hill reached by a steep path from the pavilion behind the dining hall. A concrete slab had a lectern and pulpit. Benches for worshipers ascended the hill. The area was improved by eagle scouts. Singing and music were always a part of worship. A guitarist often provided music.
Mosquitos were often a problem at the vesper area. Over the years worship services were held in the pavilion. When a CP church camp in Kentucky closed, benches were donated to CCW. Those benches brightly painted in a variety of colors made seating easier to provide at the pavilion and worship services gravitated there. Worship was also held in the activities building to gain access to air conditioning and a piano. After dark descended, the lake was often used for worship and worship services. Ginny Rammage brought Night Sound to lakeside worship and held long the bridge. Singing, prayer and preaching were always part of this worship.
The Gum Trees
– two gum trees grew in front of the dining hall. They were not of the species of gum trees, but instead they provided a convenient place for campers to dispose of their chewing gum before eating meals.
Bonfires
–a campfire ring was constructed behind the boys area. Fallen limbs were taken there and stockpiled for the burning. Sometimes worship, story telling, marshmallow and hotdog roasting were part of the bonfire experience. The campfire ring was moved in the early 1990’s to be more accessible, and to have water to extinguish the fires.
Fishing
–over the years some dedicated and highly motivated fisherman, both girls and boys, have brought fishing tackle, poles, bait with hope to catch the “big one” out in the center of the lake in a deep spot. The Big One became affectionately know as “BIG DADDY.” A lot of free time was spent by campers fishing from the bridge, banks, and paddle boats. Big smiles and exciting moments shown from campers when they were able to catch a fish.
Fishing rodeo–
A fishing rodeo has been sponsored by the camp board in connection with a spring work day in May. Handmade trophies were made for various age categories and awarded to winners and all participants were given to the fishermen..
Camp dances
–one of the “big productions” and one that was
Really taken seriously by some camps was a dance on the last night of camp. The campers came prepared for this event. They brought their favorite recorded music, sound system, and boom box that could be heard a mile away. There was great excitement as these things were lugged into the pavilion and connected.
Porch swings
–during the term of service of Randy Leslie, swings were built and installed in front of the dining hall. Swings were added to the porch of the activity building, by the paddle boats and the volleyball area later in the 1990’s. These swings served several purposes including; counseling, ministering to homesickness, and relief for the staff members and cooks after a long, tiring day.
Retha’s rolls
–one of the best food treats at CCW were the homemade rolls. Not only did Retha, head camp cook, make delicious and mouthwatering rolls, so did Marilyn Leslie, wife of Eugene Leslie. When there were any left, they were proudly served to visiting guests. The camp has truly been blessed for over 50 years with a dedicated staff of cooks.
Brown bagged sandwich lunch
–camp curriculum sometimes emphasized outdoor Christian education experiences. Picnic meals were a component of this curriculum. Sometimes, picnic meals were planned and we dined just for fun.
Stunt and talent night
–usually toward the end of the camping week, there was a special stunt and talent night scheduled. The traditional place for this activity was the pavilion, and it was a blessing that restrooms were close by, because many of the stunts required large amount of water. Rev. Jerry lynch inspired his cabin to fun stunts. Normally, the talent show consisted mainly of singing, dancing, and reciting poetry.
Canteen times
–originally, canteen items were sold at the back of the pavilion, then a canteen hut was constructed between the pavilion and the dining hall. Actually, an old deteriorating study hut was torn down and the canteen rebuilt in its place. The canteen was built by Lowell Ellis and others of Faith CP in Bartlett. Souvenir items were added to the inventory, that included tee shirts, sweat shirts, and cups. The camp fee included a drink and candy item from the canteen twice a day. Two nights at canteen time, either a watermelon feast or homemade ice cream was served. Rev. Jimmy Cantey started the ice cream tradition.
Camp Emblem
–the CCW emblem was designed by the Rev. Charles petty while serving as pastor of the Concord CP Church. He pursued a career in graphic design before entering the ministry. He presented his design to CCW to be used as the camp emblem. The emblem was given color in 1995 by administrator, Mike Hannaford.
Story Telling
–study groups, bonfire assemblies, and cabin
Groups shared various experiences of story telling. Both adult staff and campers shared in this activity. Bart Williams, Newbern C. P. Church was a renowned teller of ghost stories.
Water Olympics
–water competition events was popular with the campers. Various dives, swimming relays, and a greased watermelon relay were enjoyed by all.
Arts and Crafts
–creative experiences were offered to campers at many camps. Pam Irving of New Salem church introduced the ty-dyeing of tee shirts to junior campers in the mid 1990’s. Campers and staff painted a mural on the pavilion. A mural was painted in Savannah Hill Lodge by artist, Charlotte Shiveley. Ms. Shiveley also did the painting of a camp meeting scene in the dining hall that Jerry Petty presented to the camp as a memorial for his parents. A camp logo on the exterior of the dining hall of camp is also the work of Ms. Shiveley.
Record camp attendance at Camp Clark Williamson
The largest weeklong group to ever camp at the resident camp was 156 campers and staff at the presbyterial Junior Camp #2 held July 23-28, 2007. The directors of this camp was Cecil and Gloria Covert. The largest senior high camp ever held at the resident camp was June 23-28, 2008 when 121 high school campers and staff came to camp for the week.
Future plans for Camp Clark Williamson
The future plans for Camp Clark Williamson include a prayer chapel near the lake, satellite cabins at the Savannah Hill Lodge, and a large pavilion on with a stage and restrooms on the upper ball-field.
CCW HISTORY BEYOND 2010…
AIR CONDITIONERS IN CABINS
In the summer of 2012 air conditioning in the cabins became a reality. The previous summer was extremely hot and there were a few “tale tell” signs that air conditioning was needed in the cabins. It appeared the number of campers were down over the past few years. Some of this was parents not sending their children to a camp where there was no relief from the heat. We were told this the summer after the ac units were installed. It became obvious that adult counselors were becoming harder to secure. In reality not many adults enjoyed taking a week’s vacation to come to camp and sweet the entire time. When new potential groups were shown the camp they could rent most often they were not interested after finding out the cabins had no air conditioning. The overwhelming factor was when a teen got so hot that she passed out with issues with her asthma and an ambulance had to be called.
In the late summer of 2011 the Board began exploring our infrastructure to see if our incoming electrical wiring could support air conditioning in the cabins. After consulting with Gibson Electric the Board estimated power usage as had been used in the past. Each cabin would have several fans and a 220 volt attic fan that was installed in the ceilings. It was determined that, with only modification of underground wiring to three cabins and installing new circuit breakers our infrastructure would handle the newer, more efficient through the wall style Amana Air Conditioner/Heat Pump ptac units.
The Board made a cost plan of purchase and installation of the units plus any replacement breakers or other cabin updates and sent out a detailed plan to all cabin adopters. Most all of the cabin adopting churches agreed with our assessment, and were interested in helping or taking on the ac project as a whole. The units were purchased from BR Supply at cost and then installation began. Some men rom churches across the Presbytery and some men from individual cabin adopting churches began the process of cutting holes in the block walls and installing the units themselves. Each unit had to be wired to the electric panel and the old attic fans disabled. This work was all done before camp began in 2012.
CABIN # 17 REBUILT
Holly Grove CP has been cabin-adopters of cabin 17 since they built it. They were the first church to add a screened in porch in the 1990’s. They had been saving money to do a major overhaul to the roof and the porch. In January, 2016 the men of Holly Grove CP began the removal of the roof. Upon doing so the concrete block walls began cracking and the entire cabin had to be torn down. So, at this point they even busted up the concrete floor. A funny side note, Mike Hannaford, Camp Administrator was aware of the work to begin when he left for a mission trip to Guatemala. Upon his return a week later he found nothing of cabin 17 except a bare spot. The next year construction began to rebuild the cabin. Construction took about 2 camping seasons, and in May 2018 the cabin was usable. It wasn’t entirely finished, but it had all lighting, blinds, air conditioning and beds. Girls of the Heartland Group from West Jackson Baptist Church were the first to use.
On Sunday afternoon, October 20, 2019, HGCP came to the Camp and had a Service of Dedication. A memorial plaque of dedication was unveiled remembering Gary Goforth, Jerry Dean, Hunter Stafford and Elsworth & Ceo McPherson. Scripture verses that was read were Genesis 28:16-18, 1 Kings 8:22-30 and benediction scripture was Numbers 6:24-26. Songs included “Bless This House” and “God is So Good.” The Prayer of Dedication was, “Almighty and Eternal God, be pleased to dwell in this place now dedicated to Your Name and to bless us who have gathered together to give this place and ourselves to You this day. Let it be a place of salvation and grace. Let this house and every part of it be used to glorify You. O God; let it be devoted to Your service. Let it be a place where Your Presence dwells and Your glory is revealed as it is used to prepare Your children for the abundant life here which You have promised, but as well for the life that is to come for all eternity. May all who dwell here continue to praise and worship in spirit and in truth as we consecrate ourselves this day to building Your Kingdom through Jesus Christ. Amen.”
BIG GAZEBO by the Lake
In the late summer of 2017 it became evident the Big Gazebo had a “lean” to it. Workers jacked it up and replaced some beams underneath. In the spring of 2018 it did not look any better. The Administrator and a couple Board Members pushed on it at a workday and it leaned further. It was decided it was unsafe with summer camp only a few weeks away. It was, therefore, pushed over and its cleanup began.
Air Conditioning in Resident Camp. 2022 found the Camp replacing air conditioners. A total of six cabin units were purchased and replaced. The big unit in the dining hall was replaced as well in August at a cost of $10,600. The unit that was replaced was installed in 1999.
Construction on the new 28’ gazebo, near the lake, began on September 6, 2022. It is in Memory of Phil & Joann Dalton who were members of the Dyer CP Church. It was built by TCR Construction of Jackson, and overseen by Kevin Matlock of Jackson CP. Landon Little of Double Springs CP drew the plans for it. Ronnie Parks of Milan CP made the sign for it.
“The best kept secret in Madison County is now out”. Camp Clark Williamson is a growing Christian camping facility, and invites you to be a part of it. It is available for use by any church or group willing to abide by its few Christian policies. Whether it be a resident camp, day camp, weekend retreat, conference, or pool party the Camp Board looks forward to sharing its ministry. For those who are interested reservations need to be made at least six months in advance. For availability call Camp Clark Williamson at (731) 225-5589.