60 Years in Review

From 1947 to 2006, there have been…

Garaywa Camp and Conference Center – 60 years in review video

120,715 summer campers
Approx. 5,500 professions of faith
Approx. 5,000 rededications
2,700 calls to missions

In 1947, the very first summer camp was held at Camp Garaywa. The camping season went from May 26 to August 30 with over 2,500 in attendance from 223 churches and 62 associations. A quote from the 1947 annual report is as follows: “It is our earnest hope and prayer that from Camp Garaywa shall flow streams of influence and blessing even to the ends of the earth.”
In 1949, the summer camping program was shortened from 14 weeks of camp only 7 weeks because of the Polio epidemic. There were 1,163 in attendance.
In 1950, the first recorded camp mission offering is recorded with $1,063.63 given.
A fire ravaged camp in September of 1970, destroying two of the main buildings of Garaywa. This was also Marjean Patterson’s first year as wMu Executive Secretary. 1971 summer camp proceeded thanks to the fast construction on the two main buildings.
In 1982, Camp Garaywa received some physical upgrading—approximately $40,000 for new bedroom furniture in the auditorium, cabins 1, and cabin 20.
In 1985, the 12,000 square foot Activities building was completed and began being utilized.
In April 1999, the new adult lodge, Patterson Place, was completed. The lodge was named for Marjean Patterson and her dedicated service to Mississippi wMu.
The attendance for summer camp has been strong, averaging from 1,800 to 2,000 from the late 1990’s to the present. Garaywa Camp and Conference Center averages over 8,000 guests attending meetings and conferences year around.

When you think about 1000 plus girls that come to Garaywa each summer and multiply that by sixty, that is amazing! That’s over 60,000 girls that have had the opportunity to be affected for Christ! –Jenn Ball, cabin leader, 2006 & 2007

Camp Garaywa is special to me because I feel the presence of God every time I walk onto the camp grounds. It amazes me that people have been serving God there for 60 years. Serving as a cabin leader is an experience that helped me to grow more than anything. I learned to completely trust God and to put others before myself. I learned to worship God with all that I have. I will use the lessons I learned at Camp Garaywa throughout my entire life. I’ve met so many special people at Camp Garaywa who are full of Christ’s love. Camp Garaywa is one of my favorite places! –Brandy Gann, cabin leader, 2006 & 2007

Garaywa will always have a place in my heart since that is where I accepted Christ to be my Lord and Savior. It brings me great comfort to know that the place where I accepted Christ at the age of 8 is still going strong and to this day is continuously playing huge roles in young girls’ lives. I love Camp Garaywa and I love what the Lord is doing there and with His people. –Catherine Barber, cabin leader, 2007

Garaywa has always been a place to truly "Be still and know that He is God." The memories and echoes of everyone who has been there, prayed there, worshiped there, laughed, cried, and rejoiced there fill the woods with an unexplainable peace. –Nicole Wheat, cabin leader, 2007 & 2008