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 About Us

 
Memorial by Welcome Center.jpg
 
 

 Who we are

"The mission of Camp Horizon is to provide a natural setting for the church to make and strengthen disciples of Jesus Christ." 

Welcome to Camp Horizon, a sanctuary born from the experiences of former campers who've been deeply touched by the life-changing love of God. Our purpose is simple yet profound: to share this transformative love with each new generation of campers who walk through our gates.

Since 1947, Camp Horizon has been a beacon of faith and fellowship in our community. As a proud member of the United Methodist Great Plains Camping Inc., we stand alongside four other United Methodist camps across Kansas and Nebraska, united in our shared mission to serve our communities and spread the love of Christ.

Beyond the paperwork and logistics, our story is rooted in faith and purpose. We're here to create a space where young hearts can feel the presence of God in real and meaningful ways, just as we did during our own camp days. This mission guides everything we do.

At Camp Horizon, we're more than just a camp; we're a close-knit community united by a shared commitment to nurturing faith, fostering fellowship, and having a blast together. Whether it's the excitement of our adventure activities or the quiet reflection of our worship nights, every moment is infused with the love and grace of God.

Our dedicated staff, many of whom were campers here themselves, are passionate about creating an environment where every child feels valued, accepted, and encouraged to grow in their faith.

So whether your child is a first-timer or a returning camper, we invite them to join us on this journey of faith, friendship, and fun. Here at Camp Horizon, hearts are changed, friendships are formed, and lives are forever impacted by the love of God.

Welcome to our family.

 

Camp History

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR HISTORY ...

1907 - M. A. Straughan and Asa Dean sell units in proposed cement plant
1908 - Construction on cement plant begins
1909 - Ark City Portland Cement Plant is registered, and hotel is built in the town to encourage investors
1911 - Cement business is abandoned
1917 - Albert L. Neuman purchases property
1927 - John Hall and Lester Rhodes build raft and float down the Arkansas River from Ark City to Fort Smith, Arkansas
1945 - John Hall purchases property to build a youth camp and names Inspiration Point; Hall shares dream with Pastor Roxie Powell at First United Methodist Church in Ark City; recycled materials from old cement plant office are used to construct Main Lodge and Dining Hall
1946 - Minya Powell names Camp Horizon
1947 - John Hall sells Camp Horizon to group from FUMC Ark City for $38,000
1948 - First camping season opens: barracks purchased for $1 are moved on site for dorms; 2x4 frames with stretched canvas are used as beds; first bus purchased is a hearse with benches added for passengers
1949 - Bob Haines becomes Executive Director
1950 - South Stone Dorm is added
1952 - Jack Kleinkauf named Camp Manager
1953 - North Stone Lodge is built; 8,000 campers visit Horizon
1955 - Alva Moffitt becomes Camp Manager
1958 - New manager's home, restrooms, and shower building are constructed
1961 - Swimming pool is built
1966 - Richard Cheatum becomes Camp Manager
1967 - Cedar Dorms are built
1968 - Joe Graham becomes Camp Manager
1970 - First canoe camp is held
1973 - Rev. Richard B. Wilke shares vision that inspires construction of Renewal Lodge
1980 - Picnic shelters are built
1987 - Agape Hall, prefab building, is built by volunteers in 10 months
1988 - Maurice Wise becomes Camp Manager
1996 - Pat Simmons becomes Executive Director
2001 - High & Low Ropes Challenge Course Installed
2002 - Dining Center opens
2004 - Jackie Dodson becomes Camp Manager
2006 - Canteen building is remodeled
2007 - Neal & Katie Jordan become Co-Camp Directors
-- 9 hole Disc Golf installed
-- Archery added to summer camp
-- 690 summer campers
2010 - Joel Wilke becomes Camp Director
-- 895 summer campers
2011 - Welcome Center opens - Bridges to the Future, $170,000
2012 - South Stone remodeled by VIM's into an apartment
-- 1,012 summer campers
2013 - Sanctuary opens after successful $600,000 building campaign
-- Added Restrooms and Showers in Oxford
2014 - Director's kitchen Remodeled by VIM's
-- New Cardiac Hill road, improved access to Cement Factory and River
2015 - Rappelling and Rock Climbing offered at old rock quarry "Rock Wall"
-- Covered pavilion built for kitchen staff at dining hall
-- Inspiration Lodge Campaign launces (remodeling of the old Dining Hall)
2016 - $550,000 renovation completed for Inspiration Lodge, funding from area churches and individuals, major contributor by the Robert and Gwen Tyler Charitable Foundation
-- Outdoor Chapel - Made possible by the Brewer family in memory of Keaton Brewer
-- 1200 campers attend summer camp
2017 - VIM's built 24 bunk beds in North Stone, Human Foosball, 9 square in the air and Hammock Villiage installed. Carport built for Directors house by the Rush family volunteers. Installed LED lighting and new carpet in N. Stone
2018 - Hired Full Time Program Director Darci Utt, lived on site in South Stone
2019 - Aquatic Recreation Campaign - New Pool, Bathhouse, Canteen, Basketball Court, Jumping Pillow
2020 – Closed from Covid 19, Launched the Leap of Faith Club, Nomads replaced the Northwoods campfire with a prayer garden and labyrinth with bricks from the old hotel.
2021 – Hybrid Camp season – Church led day camps, Joel Wilke’s family moved offsite, Darci Utt’s family moved into house from S. Stone
2022 – Inspiration Way Campaign – engraved bricks to Inspiration Point celebrating 75 years, New partnership with Angle Tree Ministries, Additional 3 miles of Bike trails, 4 - 50 amp RV pads were added.
2023 – Ropes Course Campaign - Raised funds to update the ropes course to increase capacity as well as add some new elements.
2024 – Built the new ropes course, Darci Utt is given the title Assistant Director

 

Meet the Team

Meet our small but mighty year-round staff.

Joel Wilke

Camp Director

joel@horizoncenter.org

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Joel Wilke
Camp Director

Joel Wilke joined staff as Camp Director in July of 2010. Joel worked at Camp Horizon as an intern in 2008, while he was pursuing a masters degree at Southwestern College. Upon graduating, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee where he was a youth pastor for two years. He then returned to Kansas and accepted the job as Camp Director.

Joel and his wife Lindsay have three kids Luke, Emma, and Maddie. Their son Luke likes to fix things with his "tiny John Deer Gator." Their twin girls Maddie and Emma love meeting all of the new people who come out to Camp Horizon. Lindsay enjoys going on hikes around camp with the whole family.

Joel loves to travel and visit other camps. He came to Camp Horizon growing up and it had a huge impact on his faith. He loves being able to help young people have that same experience. Camp Horizon will always be a special place to him and his family.

Darci Utt

Program Director

darci@horizoncenter.org

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Darci Utt
Program Director

Darci joined staff as Program Director in January 2018. Darci worked at Horizon from 2008-2010 as a counselor and office help, she returned in 2011 as the graduate intern, and has been coming ever sense as a youth pastor. Darci received her Bachelor’s in Philosophy and Religious Studies and Master’s in Specialized Ministry from Southwestern College while working at Camp Horizon. After her internship she moved to Hesston, Kansas and was the Youth Pastor there for five years, and then spent a year and a half at Woodlawn UMC in Derby, before returning home to Horizon.

Darci and her husband Adam met in 2008 while working at Horizon and became good friends, years later they reconnected, and started their dating relationship at Darci’s brother’s wedding at Horizon, a year later in 2014 they were married in the Sanctuary at Horizon, and equally call Camp home. Adah joined the family in 2015 and Max in 2021, they have kept them on their toes ever since.

Kathy Rush

Cook

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Kathy Rush
Food Service Manager

Kathy Rush came to Camp Horizon in 2008 as our Head Cook. She and her husband Joe have three children and five grandchildren. She grew up in Nickerson, KS, and moved to Ark City in junior high. She was a bus driver, teacher's aide, library assistant for Dexter schools for 23 years before coming to work at Camp Horizon. You will also find her husband Joe mowing the grass and leading groups at the Challenge Course.

Irene Snow

Housekeeping/Cook

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Irene Snow
Housekeeping/Cook

Irene Snow has been on staff since 2012. She is always willing to jump in and help whereever is needed. She makes sure your facilities our clean and ready for every guest that comes to camp. You will also find her serving up delicious meals for a campers. When Irene isn't at camp she loves to fish, garden and spend time with her family.

Josh Day

Intern

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Josh Day
Intern/IT

Josh has been working at camp since 2019 as summer staff and has recently joined on full time! He is a ropes facilitator, life guard, and our IT/AV guy. He works with local churches and ministries in Winfield and at Southwestern College to help build up their av technologies.