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