Our Story

A Need

Camp Manitoumi, founded in 1957 by the Illinois-Missouri Association of Regular Baptist Churches, was born out of the need for a dedicated camping facility after the group outgrew East Bay Camp in Bloomington, Illinois.

Vision

The vision for the camp was spearheaded by Rev. Walter (Wally) Warfield, the Ill-Mo Fellowship Field Missionary. Wally identified a 76-acre property near Peoria as an ideal site. This land featured 62 acres of timber, ravines they thought suitable for creating a lake, and a house that could serve as a caretaker’s residence.

Acquisition

Upon approval by the Association, the camp was purchased for $10,000, with volunteers and church members rallying to transform the site into a functional camp. The Council of Seven appointed a dedicated Camp Committee to oversee the project.

Project Beginnings

Joe Bower became the Construction Superintendent and Earl Spory volunteered to assume the responsibility of Caretaker. Initial efforts included road building, land clearing, and constructing a dining hall and kitchen, which also served as dorms during the first camping season.

A Dedicated team

Volunteers from across the state contributed their time, expertise, and resources. Equipment, such as a bulldozer, tractor, and dump truck, was loaned or purchased on faith, reflecting the collective dedication to the mission.

Opening

Throughout the winter of 1956, land was cleared, and materials were prepared for construction. By spring, work accelerated with volunteers and skilled laborers, including contractors, electricians, and plumbers, joining forces. The dining hall, which also became the site of the camp’s first recorded conversion to Christianity, was completed just in time for the July 4, 1957, opening. The inaugural camping season ran from July 13 to August 10, hosting between 700 and 800 participants.

Executive Directors

Through our almost 70 year history, Camp Manitoumi has had only six Executive Directors:

Wally Warfield (Mildred) – 1956-1972

Fred Molkenthin (Adeline) – 1972-1982

Dan Johnson (Cindy) – 1982-1984

Lewis Bell (Trudy) – 1987-2001

John Kealen (Judy) – 2002-2024

Chad Rodgers (Kathleen) – 2024-Present

PRESENT Day

Camp Manitoumi now has 130 acres surrounded by beautiful cornfields and rolling wooded hills. God continues to allow us to build and add exciting activities for our campers to enjoy. Camp Manitoumi remains a testament to faith, hard work, and community collaboration, offering a place for spiritual growth and fellowship.