In 1946, when Camp Pecometh welcomed its very first campers, Preston "Pep" Williams, age 12, arrived for a summer experience that would stay with him for a lifetime. Eighty years later, a first-time camper named Nolan, also now age 12, stepped onto the same grounds and discovered something remarkably familiar: the joy, friendship, and faith that have defined Pecometh across generations.
From a Barn in 1946
Pep's camp experience looked very different from what campers know today. In that first summer, he slept in a barn instead of a cabin, but the setting was only part of the story. What he remembers most is how much fun he had, the friendships he made, the good food that brought everyone together, and the daily Bible study that helped him grow in faith. Camp made such an impression that he returned for a second year, and because it was so much fun, he brought friends with him. For Pep, camp was a place where faith came alive and friendships took root.
New Comforts, Familiar Joy
Nolan's first summer at Pecometh, nearly eight decades later, included comforts Pep never had the chance to enjoy. He slept in a cabin with bunkbeds, enjoyed new bathrooms, played on SplashDown in the river, and found plenty of fun woven into each day, right down to the swimming pool. Yet for all the changes in housing, meals, and camp life, Nolan's experience echoes Pep's in the ways that matter most.
The Things That Matter Most
Like Pep, Nolan came away having learned more about Jesus. Like Pep, he made meaningful friendships and had a lot of fun. He also discovered some surprises along the way, including the fact that he likes salad after all. One of his favorite moments was the Thursday night Galilean service, a memory that now stands among the highlights of his first year at camp.
Passing It On
That impact is already continuing. Nolan is returning to camp this year, and he is bringing a friend and his sister with him. In that simple decision, the Pecometh story continues: one camper experiences belonging, faith, and joy, and then invites others to do the same.
Eighty Years, One Promise
Over eighty years, Pecometh has grown in its programs, facilities, housing, and food, but its heart has remained the same. From a barn in 1946 to bunkbeds in 2026, Pecometh continues to offer young people a place to encounter Jesus, build lasting friendships, and create memories that stay with them for a lifetime. That is the legacy of Pecometh, and the promise it still keeps today.