History

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 is an integral part of 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, tennis court, and 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 rope challenges make our camp a favored destination. Our counselors and program staff are well trained and well-equipped to lead the campers in better understanding 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 hope to love them as we have been called to do.

During the non-summer months, Camp Lake Stephens is a host to many retreats, groups, and churches, and the Mississippi United Methodist Annual Conference .  Our facilities allow us to host a variety of groups in a great number of ways.  If we can ever partner with your church, be in touch with us.