Camp Loughridge
Encyclopedia
Camp Loughridge is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian camp located in Tulsa, Oklahoma
. Encompassing over 180 acres, the camp offers facilities for weddings, receptions
, retreats, challenge courses, summer camps, banquets and other large-group events.
of Camp Loughridge is "To provide a quality, year-round, intergenerational program and facility in a rustic, natural environment for the promotion of Christian
growth and spiritual renweal." The vision states that the camp is "to maintain and expand the quality programming that currently serves the Tulsa community by adding facilities, program, and support staff to grow the camp while maintaining its highest performance standards."
camp, then known as Camp Parthenia, began offering summer camps during the 1920s. In 1959, First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa
acquired the camp, and changed its name to Camp Loughridge, in memory of the Reverend Robert McGill Loughridge
, a pioneer missionary to the Creek Indian Nation. In 1995, Camp Loughridge was chartered as an Oklahoma
not-for-profit corporation. This corporation now maintains and operates the 186 acre (0.75271596 km²) camp with a full-time, year-round staff.
of Camp Loughridge's programs, the summer camp
is currently divided into three age-based sections. The Summer Day Camp (ages 6–11) and Adventure Day Camp (ages 11–13) share several activities including: archery
, canoeing
, challenge courses, sports, arts and crafts
, swimming, hiking
, Chapel
, and devotionals. In addition to these programs, ADC campers also participate in an over-night campout where they have bonfires and other late-night activities. In the TeenXtreme program, campers ages 14–16 are able to participate in a variety of activities, including scuba diving
, go-kart
racing, backpacking
, and mountain biking
. Over the course of the seven-week program, Camp Loughridge serves around 1600 children. In 2007, Camp Loughridge was voted Tulsa's best local Summer Day Camp by Tulsa area parents.
whereby local families, churches, and organizations are given scholarship
funds to send underprivileged children to camp. Funds for this program come primarily from three sources: individual donations, the annual Spring Fling silent auction, and a 5k
known as the Kids to Kamp run.
, an elephant grave yard, and TP logs. The programs are administered by professionally certified challenge course technicians. The course is used by a variety of local groups including businesses and schools.
Programs are available for four and eight hours time periods.
chapel
and two reception halls. The larger hall is known as the Temple Conference Center and the small one is called the Lodge. Camp Loughridge is a popular place for couples to get married in Northeast Oklahoma. Due to its non-denominational status, Camp Loughridge does not discriminate against couples seeking a Christian
marriage
.
to the camp's grounds to study science
and nature
. Students participate in various activities including fishing
, hiking
, and model rocket
construction and launching. The program caters to scholarship
schools as well as paying schools.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. Encompassing over 180 acres, the camp offers facilities for weddings, receptions
Wedding reception
A wedding reception is a party held after the completion of a marriage ceremony. It is held usually as hospitality for those who have attended the wedding, hence the name reception: the couple receives society, in the form of family and friends, for the first time as a married couple. Hosts...
, retreats, challenge courses, summer camps, banquets and other large-group events.
Mission and Vision
The mission statementMission statement
A mission statement is a statement of the purpose of a company or organization. The mission statement should guide the actions of the organization, spell out its overall goal, provide a path, and guide decision-making...
of Camp Loughridge is "To provide a quality, year-round, intergenerational program and facility in a rustic, natural environment for the promotion of Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
growth and spiritual renweal." The vision states that the camp is "to maintain and expand the quality programming that currently serves the Tulsa community by adding facilities, program, and support staff to grow the camp while maintaining its highest performance standards."
History
Tulsa's first YWCAYWCA
The YWCA USA is the United States branch of a women's membership movement that strives to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership and power in order to attain a common vision—to eliminate racism and empower women. The YWCA is a non-profit organization, the first of which was founded in...
camp, then known as Camp Parthenia, began offering summer camps during the 1920s. In 1959, First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa
First Presbyterian Church (Tulsa)
The First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa was organized in 1885. It originally met in the store owned by James M. Hall and Harry C. Hall. The first permanent minister, Reverend Charles William Kerr and his wife arrived in Tulsa in 1900. Kerr remained at this church for over 40 years...
acquired the camp, and changed its name to Camp Loughridge, in memory of the Reverend Robert McGill Loughridge
Robert McGill Loughridge
Robert McGill Loughridge was an American Presbyterian missionary who served among the Creek Indians in Indian Territory. He attended Miami University, Ohio, and graduated in 1837; Loughridge was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in October 1842. In 1843 Loughridge entered Indian Territory and...
, a pioneer missionary to the Creek Indian Nation. In 1995, Camp Loughridge was chartered as an Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
not-for-profit corporation. This corporation now maintains and operates the 186 acre (0.75271596 km²) camp with a full-time, year-round staff.
Summer Camp Programs
The cornerstoneCornerstone
The cornerstone concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.Over time a cornerstone became a ceremonial masonry stone, or...
of Camp Loughridge's programs, the summer camp
Summer camp
Summer camp is a supervised program for children or teenagers conducted during the summer months in some countries. Children and adolescents who attend summer camp are known as campers....
is currently divided into three age-based sections. The Summer Day Camp (ages 6–11) and Adventure Day Camp (ages 11–13) share several activities including: archery
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
, canoeing
Canoeing
Canoeing is an outdoor activity that involves a special kind of canoe.Open canoes may be 'poled' , sailed, 'lined and tracked' or even 'gunnel-bobbed'....
, challenge courses, sports, arts and crafts
Arts and crafts
Arts and crafts comprise a whole host of activities and hobbies that are related to making things with one's hands and skill. These can be sub-divided into handicrafts or "traditional crafts" and "the rest"...
, swimming, hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, Chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
, and devotionals. In addition to these programs, ADC campers also participate in an over-night campout where they have bonfires and other late-night activities. In the TeenXtreme program, campers ages 14–16 are able to participate in a variety of activities, including scuba diving
Scuba diving
Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater....
, go-kart
Go-kart
thumb|A [[Kart racing|racing kart]] at the [[Commission Internationale de Karting|CIK-FIA]] European Championship 2008A go-kart is a small four-wheeled vehicle...
racing, backpacking
Backpacking (wilderness)
Backpacking combines the activities of hiking and camping for an overnight stay in backcountry wilderness...
, and mountain biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
. Over the course of the seven-week program, Camp Loughridge serves around 1600 children. In 2007, Camp Loughridge was voted Tulsa's best local Summer Day Camp by Tulsa area parents.
Kids Kamp
As part of the summer camp programs, Camp Loughridge has a ministryChristian ministry
In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith. 2003's Encyclopedia of Christianity defines it as "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world", indicating that it is "conferred on each Christian in baptism." It is performed by all Christians...
whereby local families, churches, and organizations are given scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
funds to send underprivileged children to camp. Funds for this program come primarily from three sources: individual donations, the annual Spring Fling silent auction, and a 5k
5000 metres
The 5000 metres is a popular running distance also known as 5 km or 5K in American English. It is one of the track events in the Olympic Games and the World Championships in Athletics. "5000 metres" refers to racing on a track and "5K" usually refers to a roadrace or cross country event...
known as the Kids to Kamp run.
Challenge Course
Camp Loughridge houses a large challenge course with both high and low elements. Included in the high elements are: a dual series, Wild Woozy, three-man zip line, two giant swings, an incline log, and a Pamper Pole. Low elements include various team building games, trust fallTrust fall
A trust fall is a purported trust-building game often conducted as a group exercise in which a person deliberately allows themselves to fall, relying on the other members of the group to catch the person. There are many variants of the trust fall...
, an elephant grave yard, and TP logs. The programs are administered by professionally certified challenge course technicians. The course is used by a variety of local groups including businesses and schools.
Programs are available for four and eight hours time periods.
Weddings and Receptions
Within the facilities of Camp Loughridge, there is an A-FrameA-Frame
An A-frame is a basic structure designed to bear a load in a lightweight economical manner. The simplest form of an A-frame is two similarly sized beams, arranged in a 45-degree or greater angle, attached at the top...
chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
and two reception halls. The larger hall is known as the Temple Conference Center and the small one is called the Lodge. Camp Loughridge is a popular place for couples to get married in Northeast Oklahoma. Due to its non-denominational status, Camp Loughridge does not discriminate against couples seeking a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
marriage
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
.
Outdoor Education
The Outdoor Education program offers school classrooms the opportunity to take a field tripField trip
A field trip or excursion, known as school trip in the UK and school tour in Ireland, is a journey by a group of people to a place away from their normal environment...
to the camp's grounds to study science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
and nature
Nature
Nature, in the broadest sense, is equivalent to the natural world, physical world, or material world. "Nature" refers to the phenomena of the physical world, and also to life in general...
. Students participate in various activities including fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, and model rocket
Model rocket
A model rocket is a small rocket that is commonly advertised as being able to be launched by anybody, to, in general, low altitudes and recovered by a variety of means....
construction and launching. The program caters to scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
schools as well as paying schools.