L.Y.F.E. Camp Fact: Our roots go back nearly fifty years!
Our timeline, particularly the early years, is still being filled in. We hope to have more details in place soon. Camp is a great place for old and new traditions!
1960s - Camp starts at Camp Frotenac. The first churches involved include...
19?? - Camp moves to Decision Hills Campground in Spicer, MN.
1990 - Camp splits into two separate weeks of camp. One camp becomes its own completely different entity and eventually folds in the mid-90s. The other camp continues strong with Brunswick UMC, Grace UMC, Hopkins UMC, and Richfield UMC.
1996 - Discovery UMC begins sending youth to Camp. Camp is big enough to make use of "Friendship Hall," a barracks-style cabin one-quarter mile away from the main campgrounds. Some of the end-of-the-night campfires are held near Friendship Hall to bridge the travel gap.
1997 - Camp grows again and becomes so big that the dining hall can no longer hold everyone for meals and worship. Random small groups eat meals on the porch or in Portinga Cabin. A large tent is set up behind Portinga Cabin for worship and the all-camp dance.
1998 - Camp splits into two separate weeks of camp. Richfield and Brunswick attend one week, while Grace and Hopkins attend another.
2001 - Junior High Camp gets a new name - L.Y.F.E. Camp. It stands for Live Your Faith Everyday through Community, Affirmation, Music, and Prayer. This becomes the defining brand name and motto for the camp.
2002 - A huge storm sweeps away two of the three crosses on Meditation Hill. People at Week I cut and erect two fresh cedar crosses in their place, both of which remain to this day.
2006 - Camp splits into three separate weeks of camp. Excelsior UMC begins sending youth to camp, joining Arlington Hills at Week I. Brunswick, Grace, Hopkins, and South St. Paul become the Week II churches, and Buffalo, Discovery, and Richfield move to Week III.
2008 - LYFECamp.org debuts online.
2009 - Camp consolidates back into two weeks.