On the weekend of June 17, 2005, a thousand cars and RVs plus 5,000 people will converge on the tiny town of Westfield, Wisconsin. What is the draw? It is camp meeting time in Wisconsin.

What makes camp meeting so special that so many people would converge? It's Camp Wakonda!

Wakonda is a Native American word meaning,"Holy Place." Camp Wakonda is over 100 acres of rustic campground—real trees, real meeting tents, and real camping. "We prohibit radios, televisions, and even bicycles from use on the campground," reports Mike Edge, youth director. "We want our people to be immersed in a spiritual experience here and to enjoy a time away from the complexities of modern life." Camp meeting is a time of spiritual refreshing.

"We cannot overstate the importance of camp meeting in Wisconsin," reports Don Corkum, Wisconsin Conference president. Camp meeting in Wisconsin is a rallying point for members and seekers alike. "Every year, between twenty and forty people are baptized at camp meeting. It is like a large reaping evangelistic meeting each year."

Jamie Shallows, from Suamico, Wisconsin, and his son, Luke, love Wisconsin Camp Meeting. "Camp meeting at Wakonda is like a little taste of heaven—it’s not perfect, but we get to escape from all our world cares. Every day of camp meeting, I feel like I am in a different world."

For five-year-old Luke, camp meeting is the most fun he can imagine. "Luke loves living in a canvas tent for days at a time. It is such a change from his normal environment," reports his dad. "His greatest thrill is the reunion we have each year with the Browns from Fox Valley Church in Appleton, Wisconsin. Luke gets to reconnect with their children and plays non-stop in the shadow of the big tent while we gain a spiritual blessing. Camp meeting is a week-long Sabbath experience."

In 2005, our theme is "Transformed in Christ," which is also the theme for the 2005 General Conference Session. It is not only a theme for speakers to rally under, but also the deeply-felt prayer of our hearts for every participant at camp meeting.

Almost all campsites have been reserved for Camp Meeting 2005. If you would like to make a reservation, please contact Aileen King by e-mail: akking@wi.adventist.org, or call the Wisconsin Conference office: (608) 241-5235 as soon as possible. If, however, you would like to attend for a day, there is always room for more.

If you made a reservation and find you are not able to attend, please call Aileen immediately. For location and directions, visit website: http://wi.adventist.org/id19.htm.

James Fox is the Wisconsin Conference communication and ministerial director.