History

President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Congress established the Civilian Conservation Corps for boys ages 17-25. In the spring of that year, about 400 boys arrived at Belknap Camp and, with the help of Forest Service personnel, erected White Branch Lodge, built a water system and cleared a ski run.

The Lodge opened January 1st with 1,200 people to celebrate the occasion. The Obsidian Club held the first lease and used the facility as a winter destination for skiing and toboganning.

The Church of the Nazarene surveyed the area to determine if it was suitable for Youth Camps and the lease of 10 acres of land was soon handed over to them.

Dining hall and kitchen with a dormitory above for 40 people was added in preparation for summer youth camps. 147 boys and 137 girls attended the first of many camps.

The Association of the Churches of God purchased the camp from the Nazarene Church. Post work weekends to clean up the camp, the first Sr and Junior high camps were held that summer. Money was also raised to start the construction of a swimming pool.