ABOUT US
Our Mission
Camp Lake Stephens is a place where people
encounter God and respond to His call to transform the world.
Throughout our history, we have presented the good news of Jesus to everyone who has come through our gates, no matter their spiritual background. We want everyone to experience God in His fullness when they gather at CLS.
Our History
In the 1930’s, Methodist Minister Dr. John Ellett Stephens developed and implemented several outdoor camping experiences for children and youth around North Mississippi. These camps were held at various locations around Mississippi, including Pickwick Lake. Dr. Stephens believed that a permanent camp should be established within the bounds of North Mississippi.
​
He shared this dream with the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Oxford and received enthusiastic support for this special project. Shortly afterwards, the Oxford Chamber of Commerce purchased 87 acres of land and donated it for the formation of a summer camp. Dr. Stephens, along with several other Methodist ministers and lay people, immediately began work preparing for the first summer of campers. The first camp was held in July of 1946 and named Camp Lake Stephens, in honor of Dr. Stephens’ leadership in establishing the camp. ​
​
Camp Lake Stephens is one of the oldest camps in the state of Mississippi and a vital ministry for churches and individuals across the country. Camp Lake Stephens has provided quality camping experiences for children and youth every summer for over 75 years. For the last 20 years, Camp Lake Stephens has built on the summer camp foundation and expanded its ministry to be a year-round camp facility for people of all ages.
Our Beliefs
We are open to people of all backgrounds, though Camp Lake Stephens is firmly rooted in the historic Christian faith. We believe this faith, as documented in holy scripture, offers a transforming relationship with the living God through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.
​
Our core beliefs are best summed up in the words of the Apostle’s Creed,
one of the earliest documents written by followers of Jesus:
​
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.​
Amen