Posted on : Monday April 11, 2011

By Sharon Mager, BCM/D Correspondent

JARRETTSVILLE, Md.—Camp WoMeTo has moved from being a facility that just hosts ministry events to a ministry facility. The camp, which stands for Women and Men of Tomorrow, is now sponsoring its own events.

“We can be a facility that’s more than a business. I want the camp to be a blessing,” Resident Manager Frank Ulmer said.

The camp took its first ministry steps early last year hosting a Veterans dinner. Staff invited guests from Perry Point Veterans Hospital, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legions and local church senior groups. About 50 veterans attended. Cub Scouts from Pack 865 led prayer, served meals and performed a flag ceremony.

Later in the Year, WoMeTo invited seniors from Brightview Assisted Living facility as well as senior groups from local churches for a luncheon and Gospel sing-along featuring music groups, The Elderlighters and The Ragtime Boys.

The camp also had a Family Day for Harford Family House, a facility that helps homeless families, Baptist Family & Children’s Services and the Good Samaritan Network. Families came for games, arts and crafts, swimming and a cookout.

In addition, North Harford Church has been working with the camp on a low cost week-long faith-based camp for local children. This week focuses on activities to introduce or reinforce the children’s faith in God.

This will be their fifth year partnering in this ministry. Of course WoMeTo is still the host facility for GA’s and RA’s, now called Girls’ Mission Camp and Boys’ Camp.

“We have a great opportunity to do ministry,” Ulmer said. To fund the events, camp workers cut firewood to sell and they take advantage of any opportunity to save, including cashing in on rebates on food purchases. The camp staff does most of the construction work by themselves or with the help and blessings of mission teams.

Calvary Church in Bel Air, Md., brought a volunteer mission team last year to help with various construction projects. The young people enjoy being at the camp, having fun and giving back by doing the work, Ulmer said.

Parkway Church in Bardstown, Ky., has sent a team twice a year for the past two years to help with multiple construction projects. This year they’re combining ministries by sending additional people willing to work with local churches or other outreach ministries. Ulmer works with all volunteer organizations to provide ministry opportunities.

The camp has been doing well even in the midst of a recession. When the economy declined WoMeTo was hurt, losing multiple reservations. But God used that for good, Ulmer said.

The dates vacated by organizations that cancelled opened the door for other groups that had a new opportunity to use the camp. The previous groups eventually returned as did the new ones. The camp is flourishing and making improvements without raising their fees.

Cabins are just $55 per person/per night. Each cabin sleeps between 8-12 campers and has a bathroom with shower facilities, heating and air conditioning.

The “Timbers” is a hotel-like lodge. Each room has a double and a single bed, private bathroom and shower, heating and air conditioning. The cost is $70 per person/per night.

Lodges offer accommodations for larger groups and have fireplaces and cost $65 per person/per night. Each per night cost includes three meals and access to camp activities.

There are also multiple meeting spaces, a dining area, prayer gardens, bonfire pits, pavilions, tent sites and more.

The camp is rustic with that old-time roasted marshmallow “campy” feel. Activities include hiking, boating, canoeing, hayrides, basketball, ping-pong, fishing, softball, volleyball, campfires and much more. During the summer, the camp offers swimming with a lifeguard for its guests.

“It’s a wonderful place with plenty to do if that’s what you’re looking for, or the solitude to be alone with God,” Ulmer said.

For more information about Camp WoMeTo see the website at http://www.campwometo.org. To contact the office call (410) 557-6296 or email at campwometo@yahoo.com.