All timeline stories.
Ted and Karen were the first on-site couple to serve at Camp Horizon – Leesburg. Ted was talented and creative. If you could describe it, he could build it. Together they provided leadership and examples to staff and camper alike. They served at Leesburg from 1976-1978.
There was a removeable wall in the Dining Hall. One side was reserved for meals and the other side was the chapel, and when it rained it was the only place for indoor activity.
Camp was seven days and seven nights in the early years. Campers arrived on Saturday afternoon, so they were also there for The Lord’s Supper on Sunday morning. Campers went on the next Saturday morning.
Some activities never seem to grow old. There are photos in every decade, if not every year of camp with the famous Muddy Marble Pit.
The campfire seating was years away. Camper sat on the grass for singing and testimony time. The location of the campfire has not changed through the years.
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In 1976 the cost of camp was $38 and skiing was $3.
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A year later (1977) the cost was $40 per week.
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1978: The cost increased to $50.
As the summer of 1976 approached, volunteers worked tirelessly to complete the cabins. The summer staff worked well into the night (as in wee hours of the morning) to assemble the bunks in the cabins.
There was a celebration held to thank the many people that served to make that first summer possible.
Many volunteers gave up their weekends and vacations to serve at their own expense to clear the land and construct the buildings.
While it is not possible to list all of those that served, it should be mentioned that the legal counsel, architect, contractors, carpenters, plumbers, and electricians all served at no cost.
Shown above are Wendell McGregor and Ron Gratton running pipes and conduit down the camp road.
The Dining Hall was the first building to be completed. Notice that camp is about four months away at this point in construction.
Several locations were suggested and a few of them considered. The Leesburg location featured a long lake-front on a large lake. It was perfect for swimming, boating, and skiing. The cost was likely more affordable because it was zoned agriculture – an old but working citrus grove, and a bothersome railroad that ran through the property along the lake.
LAKEWOOD RETREAT
1973-1975
During these years the property at Leesburg was being purchased, rezoned, cleared, and a camp constructed. A camp near Brooksville, Florida was chosen to host the summer programs during these years.
Ted Thisse (Karen) and Charlie Lacey (Norma Jean) mentored several young people in those years that would become camp directors, speakers, and serve in various ministries. At least five of these young men served full-time at Camp Horizon. Among the young ladies, some served at camp and others served in missions and other full-time ministries. Even among the campers at Lakewood Retreat were future full-time camp staff, speakers, directors, and volunteers.
The Lord used these years to prepare the leadership of the new Camp Horizon being built at Leesburg.
Men gathered together at Hiawassa Bible Chapel on September 9, 1971 “regarding the possibility of forming a new Youth Camp Program for various activities of the Assemblies of Florida.”
There was a series of Meetings that resulted in incorporation of Evanglistic Horizons Unlimited and scheduling the first summer of Camp Horizon in 1972 at Lake Swan.
The March 1972 meeting reports that funds remaining from the “old Camp Horizon” would be available soon. This is the only note in existing minutes referring to the previous camp.
The logo from Orange Springs was kept (without the sunburst). Counselors were referred to as “Chief” – a tradition that lasted for decades after the indian head logo was gone and Camp Fla-Go-Pi was forgotten.