Our Mission
The mission of Overlook Retreat & Camp Ministries is to be a set apart place to enable people of all ages to encounter God in renewing and meaningful ways while growing in community as the body of believers. This is done through a variety of experiences and settings. We invite you to come to the mountain, invest some quality time in an inspiring setting, and see how the Lord touches you!
The Overlook Summer Program is a laboratory in Christian living. It's purpose is to provide opportunities for Christian growth and self-development in an outdoor setting through a variety of worship experiences, fun activities, and interpersonal relationships. It is designed as a vital part in the continuing Christian Education program of the local church. The worth of the individual is of primary importance and all who attend the camp are expected to live together in Christian fellowship. Opportunities are afforded each camper to relate to others and to God in his or her own way. The program and mature Christian leadership is intended to provide the best for a week filled with fun, fellowship, and Christian growth for each camper. Rules for acceptance and participation in the camp are the same for everyone without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, or disability.
Overlook Retreat & Camp Ministries is a part of the Shenandoah River District of the United Methodist Church of the Virginia Annual Conference.
The Overlook Summer Program is a laboratory in Christian living. It's purpose is to provide opportunities for Christian growth and self-development in an outdoor setting through a variety of worship experiences, fun activities, and interpersonal relationships. It is designed as a vital part in the continuing Christian Education program of the local church. The worth of the individual is of primary importance and all who attend the camp are expected to live together in Christian fellowship. Opportunities are afforded each camper to relate to others and to God in his or her own way. The program and mature Christian leadership is intended to provide the best for a week filled with fun, fellowship, and Christian growth for each camper. Rules for acceptance and participation in the camp are the same for everyone without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, or disability.
Overlook Retreat & Camp Ministries is a part of the Shenandoah River District of the United Methodist Church of the Virginia Annual Conference.
Our History
Camp Overlook was founded in 1965 by the Evangelical United Brethren Church Conference. The 117 acre property was purchased from the Reid brothers for $20,000. After two years of hard labor and lots of planning by some amazing people, Camp Overlook was officially opened for youth camp in 1967. So many people gave their time, talent, labor, and money to make Camp Overlook a reality that it would be impossible to name them all. Most of our buildings and areas are named after people who made camp what it is today.
Camp Overlook's name came from a conference-wide project where names were submitted and voted on. The name with the most votes was EUB Overlook but it was decided to omit the EUB giving us the iconic, Camp Overlook. To anyone who has been here before, standing on a hill and overlooking the Shenandoah Valley, it is clear that Overlook is the most fitting name.
Camp started off running five weeks of camp each summer, divided into two elementary weeks, two junior-high weeks, and one senior-high week. We had approximately 500 campers each year plus staff. In these beginning years, the cost for a camper to come to camp for a week was less than $20!
As Camp Overlook used to be land used for farming, the landscape was pretty bare. It was decided to secure white pine seedlings to cover the area. 800-1000 seedlings were secured from the US Forest Service with the intention of harvesting the timber after a number of years by selective cutting. However, the selective cutting never occurred, leaving us with the thick beautiful forests that are a staple of Camp Overlook.
This is just the beginning of our history as we believe that Camp Overlook will be here for a long time. Thanks to our wonderful donors, rental groups, campers, and other people who support Camp Overlook who help us to do what we love.
Camp Overlook's name came from a conference-wide project where names were submitted and voted on. The name with the most votes was EUB Overlook but it was decided to omit the EUB giving us the iconic, Camp Overlook. To anyone who has been here before, standing on a hill and overlooking the Shenandoah Valley, it is clear that Overlook is the most fitting name.
Camp started off running five weeks of camp each summer, divided into two elementary weeks, two junior-high weeks, and one senior-high week. We had approximately 500 campers each year plus staff. In these beginning years, the cost for a camper to come to camp for a week was less than $20!
As Camp Overlook used to be land used for farming, the landscape was pretty bare. It was decided to secure white pine seedlings to cover the area. 800-1000 seedlings were secured from the US Forest Service with the intention of harvesting the timber after a number of years by selective cutting. However, the selective cutting never occurred, leaving us with the thick beautiful forests that are a staple of Camp Overlook.
This is just the beginning of our history as we believe that Camp Overlook will be here for a long time. Thanks to our wonderful donors, rental groups, campers, and other people who support Camp Overlook who help us to do what we love.