About Us

Who We Are

Pecometh Camp & Retreat Ministries partners with over 400 churches of the Peninsula Delaware Conference of The United Methodist Church to provide camps, retreats and outdoor programs to persons of all ages and from all walks of life. Pecometh has operated continuously since 1946 on the Chester River near Centreville, Maryland. We are a place where people play, learn and grow for a lifetime.

Our History

In 1946, a group of Methodist clergy and laypersons realized a vision for a Christian camp by purchasing 10 acres at “Bookers Wharf” along the Chester River just north of Centreville, MD. Bookers Wharf had once bustled with barges going to and from Baltimore but, at the time it was purchased, had become a local recreation area.

The name “Pe-Co-Meth” was the winning entry in a naming contest, combining the first syllables of its owner, the Peninsula Conference of the Methodist Church. The hyphenated spelling lasted for many years, but as the camp grew to add more land, facilities and programs, the hyphens disappeared.

Over time, Pecometh’s identity flourished as a place where people experience God-inspired, life-changing experiences in a sacred place. Pecometh continues to partner with the more than 400 churches of the Peninsula Delaware Conference of The United Methodist Church to serve persons of all ages and from all walks of life, not just United Methodists.

Our Vision

Our Vision is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world through Christ-centered peace and play in our unique Eastern Shore setting.

Foundational Core Values-Who we are

• Christ Centered
• Mission Minded
• Competent / Accountable
• Filled with Grace and Humility
• Full of Integrity

Ministry Core Values-How we work

• Strive for Excellence
• Quality Oriented
• Relational / People Oriented
• Enthusiastic
• Team Oriented

Seven Foundations for Camp & Retreat Ministry-What we are about

• Provide places apart that connect people with God
• Extend genuine Christian hospitality and community
• Nurture faith and discipleship
• Develop Christian Spiritual Leaders
• Collaborate with churches, agencies and community groups
• Teach Creation care and appreciation
• Equip Guests to do love and justice

Explore in-depth explanations of the Seven Foundations

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide sanctuary for Christian hospitality and programming that promote God-inspired, life-changing experiences through camp and retreat ministries.

Desired outcomes of Our Mission

• To see people become disciples of Christ.
• To see children brought to faith through fun and fellowship.
• To see students become stewards of God’s Creation.
• To see camp programming used year round.
• To see the adult retreat ministry grow in spiritual formation, leadership development, and programming for life needs.
• To see Pecometh become a self-sustaining ministry while maintaining connectional ties.
• To see a strong donor base and financial support by churches.