Families plan their vacations a year in advance so they can get to Camp Wakonda early. Some stay in RV's rather than the old tents. A few tech junkies just have to get an e-mail "fix" at the Fireside Lodge Ministry Center and are frustrated their cell phones have marginal reception at best; but most people come to Wisconsin for a good, old-fashioned camp meeting experience.
Al and Crystal Koehler have come to camp meeting together since 1941. Crystal began in 1934 when she was a girl of ten. "Camp meeting was wonderful for children," recalled Crystal. "My uncle would take Mother and I in his big car with their six children and we would sing all the way there!"
Crystal continues, "There were meetings just for children. They would tell us about Jesus and they would use flannel boards. We could just see the Bible stories come to life. I made my decision for Jesus and was baptized at camp meeting in Silver Lake in 1937."
Al Koehler grew up as a faithful Lutheran. His interest in Adventism began about the same time as his interest in Crystal. He attended camp meeting for four years before he and Crystal were married in 1945. "I have always enjoyed Wisconsin Camp Meeting," Al shared. "There is always a great list of speakers, [and] there are special programs. I told Elder Corkum a few years ago, 'You organized a good one!' But the next year, it was better still." Al loves the health emphasis and the deep spirituality that exists at camp meeting.
And of course, he loves the camaraderie. Camp meeting is the place where you reconnect and catch up on old times. Al worked at Wisconsin Academy as dairy manager for the farm, beginning in 1946. He met many students, co-workers, and Conference leaders during his years at the farm and Harris Pine Mills. "Every Valentine's Day, eight couples would join together for a meal in Madison. Last year, we were the only couple still going out," Koehler remarked. "At camp meeting, we catch up on our friends."
Al Koehler's favorite camp meeting came in 1946 when the Conference secretary/treasurer called him to work at the academy's farm. "There was a mixture of spiritual and material blessings that year," quipped Al. "I just don't know if I can name one favorite camp meeting," said Crystal. "They have all been good."
After 60 years of shared camp meeting experiences, the Koehlers are clear about one thing—with the Lord's blessing, they will be at Camp Wakonda for Wisconsin Camp Meeting in June 2006.
And they won't be alone! From June 16–24, 2006, thousands of people will visit Camp Wakonda near rural Westfield, Wisconsin. Camp meeting has been a haven of rest and spiritual recreation for thousands over the years. Special guests for 2006 include:
Ken Mittleider, former Wisconsin Conference president and retired General Conference vice president, will be the morning devotional speaker.
Ron Smith, Message magazine editor, will be the opening weekend speaker.
Mike Tucker, Faith for Today speaker/director, will be the evening speaker during the mid-week and family life seminar presenter.
Vicki Griffin, Michigan Conference health ministries director, will present seminars and lectures on health and wellness.
Lonnie Melashenko, Voice of Prophecy director/speaker, will be our featured speaker for the closing weekend.
Richard Davidson, professor of Old Testament at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, will present the 11:00 a.m. sermon in the main tent and conduct Bible study seminars each day during the week.
Jaime Jorge will be our concert soloist and musical guest on opening weekend.
Seminars do abound: Richard Davidson on Bible study; Richard O'Ffill on outreach; Vicki Griffin on health and wellness; and Mike and Gail Tucker on family life. Also featured: church planting, lay pastor training, prayer and praise, community services disaster preparation, home schooling, and so much more!
For reservations or further information, contact Aileen King at (608) 241-5235, option 4; or e-mail: akking@wi.adventist.org.
James Fox is the Wisconsin Conference communication director.
