About

Our Mission Statement:

Camp Lake Stephens, a United Methodist Camp and Retreat Center, is committed to being a place where children, youth, and adults can encounter God and respond in faith to God’s call to transform the world.

Over 60 years ago, Camp Lake Stephens was founded as one of the first summer camps in Mississippi. As part of the ministry of the Mississippi Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Camp Lake Stephens plays an integral role in the formation of many people. Camp Lake Stephens rests on more than 400 acres of softly-rolling hills that are dotted with amenities including a picturesque fishing lake, challenging hiking trails, a tennis court, and an Olympic-size swimming pool.

During the summer months, Camp Lake Stephens is committed to offering the best summer camping program around. Activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, archery, rappelling, and high and low ropes courses make our camp a favored destination. Our counselors and program staff are well-trained and well-equipped to lead the campers to a better understanding of what a Christian community is, while having a safe and exciting time away from home. Though we draw our campers mainly from Mississippi, our affordability merits us campers from as far away as Hawaii, New Jersey, and Minnesota. Thus, any child or youth is welcome at Camp Lake Stephens, no matter their religious affiliation. We consider all children to be precious in the eyes of God, and strive to love them as we have been called to do.

During the fall, winter, and spring, Camp Lake Stephens offers itself to more than just children and youth. While we do host several youth retreats- including Dare to Lead, Overflow, and Confirmation Retreats- we also hosts retreats for adults as well. We offer older adult programming in our Fall and Spring Flings, bringing in talented folks to teach, lead, and entertain. Each year, we offer a Sustainable Student Ministry Event, which is extened to full-time, part-time, and volunteers participating in youth and children’s ministry. As we continue to expand our non-summer programming, we are looking to offer more of these events, so we will keep you posted on our progress.