The tradition of camp meeting originally had families moving to the campground to live there in tents for 8 - 10 days, sometimes longer. There were meetings held all day long--a real spiritual feast. It was a time when there was only one breadwinner in the family, the father, so the mother and children lived on the campground the entire time, while father commuted after work on Friday and spent the weekend with his family.
In those days the young people had the opportunity of meeting other Adventist youth, and many lasting friendships were formed. To say nothing of the wonderful rousing sermons by inspiring preachers. I still remember when Elder Eric B. Hare spoke at our Lynwood (California) camp meeting, telling stories which kept us all fascinated with mission work. He told the story of "Don't you know? Haven't you heard? Hasn't anybody ever TOLD you??!" so beautifully that I've never forgotten it.
Nowadays, however, the Southern California Conference holds no camp meeting at all. Or if so, it's only a "one-day camp meeting" at a large convention hall.
Economic constraints are binding our work everywhere. Everything is changing, and quickly. We all need to have our faith strong within ourselves, and need to communicate with God daily so as to maintain our relationship with Him, and be ready when Jesus comes.
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Jeannie
...Change is inevitable; growth is optional....
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