Mt. Lebanon is experiencing a season of rapid growth! We  are expecting a record attendance at our summer camps this year. Existing facilities are being improved and construction will happen soon on some exciting new projects. Our conference center rooms have been completely updated during “The Great Hotel Flip of 2023” as you’ll see below.

Though these improvements are important, camps and retreats are always about people and relationships. As it has been for over 75 years, our mission is to encourage our campers and guests to form growing relationships with God and with one another. 

I hope you’ll come – or come back – to Mt. Lebanon soon. Even with so much progress underway, we will always remain a special, set apart place in the Metroplex “Where People Meet Jesus.”

Eddie Walker

Executive Director

A Little Mt. Lebanon History 

Tom and Pauline Patton gave the gift of 519 acres to the Dallas Baptist Association in 1945 to create a youth camp. A capital campaign of $150,000 was launched by the churches of the association and a rustic dining hall and six cabins were soon built, along with power, a water well, roads and other infrastructure. 

But the camp wasn’t ready for the amazing response…850 girls registered for the first GA camp in June of 1948! One participant from that first year recently reported, “We slept 4 to a bunkbed” and most of the campers slept in tents. Fortunately, the camp facilities continued to grow thanks to the contributions and participation of many churches and individuals through the years. 

Today a camp of 850 is fairly small for Mt. Lebanon – and the accommodations are much more comfortable! Bring a group from your church and keep the legacy going.

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The Power of Camp and Retreats

Camp ministry continues to boom, with millions of attendees each year in America and beyond. Did you know…?

• Church camp remains one of the most effective tools for evangelism for children and teens. 10-15% of attendees will make first time decisions to follow Christ. 
• Many other significant faith decisions are made at camp – recommitments, Biblical understanding, baptism, church membership, and more.
• Camp is a safe place to help kids “practice leaving home.” This necessary step instills confidence, problem-solving and other attributes that help them eventually succeed when leaving the nest for college or work. 
• Other documented “positive developmental outcomes” of camp include instilling a love for nature and the outdoors, overcoming obstacles, building social skills and making lifelong friends.

Projects, Prayers, Possibilities...Participate!

Hotel Makeover – Our 52 hotel-style rooms have been updated with high-end pillow top queen mattresses, linens, towels, Eddie Bauer comforters and other amenities found in top hotels. We’ve also added artwork reflecting the rich history of Mt. Lebanon. With similar meeting room upgrades, we’re the perfect comfortable, convenient spot for your adult group retreat or conference. Schedule your group today!

Pavilion by the Dining Hall – Mt. Lebanon once featured many pavilions for missionary presentations and Bible study locations. While those have all been lost to time and decay, a new, much needed multi-use pavilion will soon rise beside the Dining Hall! Please help make that happen.

Equipment – It is vital for the camp to keep up with equipment needs. We’ve been improving the stage and media technology in the worship center, but more upgrades are needed there. Likewise, our physical operations team needs equipment ranging from weedeaters and lawn mowers to a skid steer with mulching attachment. 

Prayerfully consider donating to these and other Mt. Lebanon projects with a one-time or monthly recurring gift. Thank you!

James 5:16 - The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Please pray:

• For campers who need to attend camp, hear the gospel, and respond to follow Christ!
• For the final summer staff needed to join our team. (If you know a potential staffer, they can apply here.)
• For health, safety, and spiritual nourishment for every camper, church leader, volunteer, and staff member. 

If you have a picture, anecdote, or fun fact we could feature in a future Mount Lebanon newsletter, please send them our way!