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For more than 80 years, the Southern Ohio District Church of the Brethren has provided opportunities for camping, outdoor education and worship experiences where persons, both youth and adult, can experience God and nature.

For more than 30 years, Camp Sugar Grove in Miami County, a property of just a little over two acres, was the location for much of this outdoor activity. In December, 1959, the 400 acre property now known as Woodland Altars in Adams County was purchased by the District and has now served as the primary location for the District’s outdoor ministries for nearly 50 years. Over the years, to make this continuing ministry possible, much has been invested in Woodland Altars, in financial resources and in volunteer and staff time to develop hiking trails, housing for campers, housing for staff, other buildings, a picnic area and shelters, roads, drinking water, a swimming pool, planting trees and in managing the natural forest which covers most of the property.

In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s the number of campers at times reached more than 700 per year. This level of interest continued for many years. By the mid 1980’s, however, and continuing up to the present time the number of campers has greatly declined with the number of campers averaging only a little over 200 for the past few years. This is a decline of more than 70% from the days when camping was at its peak.

Acquiring, developing, maintaining and managing Woodland Altars has always been a challenge. This became increasingly so with the decline in campers over the years. In 2004 the District Board entered into a 10 year lease with Mr. Robin Waddell for Woodland Altars. He makes periodic payments to the District for his use of the property. Although Mr. Waddell operates the property and facilities under this lease arrangement, the property is still owned by the District and the District still has access to the property for camping and other outdoor ministries activities. It is important to plan now to be prepared to make the best possible decisions about the future of this property when this lease is concluded.

The Outdoor Ministries Commission is beginning a strategic planning process this fall, the purpose of which will be to discern a vision for the future of District sponsored and operated outdoor ministries.
Also, the District Board recently appointed a Woodland Altars Self-Study Committee for the purpose of evaluating Woodland Altars and exploring what options may exist for future operations. Although this process is just beginning, it will include evaluating a wide range of options. This is a process of evaluation and discernment and is anticipated to take some time. The information gathered and the resulting suggestions and recommendations from the enclosed survey will be shared with the Outdoor Ministries Commission and presented to the District board for their consideration.

Your help is needed in this important process.

Adults and children over 13 years old - click here to take the survey
Children up to 12 years old - click here to take the survey