Being still and knowing He is God at Camp Wo-Me-To

By Sharon Mager, BCM/D Correspondent

JARRETTSVILLE, Md.—Camp Wo-Me-To’s resident manager, Frank Ulmer, laughs when he says people come up to him and say “Wow, so you guys are open again." Ulmer responds, “We’ve never been closed!”

The camp is sometimes a forgotten jewel – a more rustic and relaxed camp than some of the more upscale retreat centers. But it may not be forgotten for long. Usage is up; summer camp registration is growing and the camp is getting spiffed up.

Ulmer said they recently sold two and one-third acres and reinvested the money into camp improvements, adding central air and heating and upgrading the electrical system in the chapel and installing central air and heating in the White Pine Lodge. They also made the lodge and one of the cabins handicap accessible and they’re continuing with ongoing improvements.

Operations manager, Ben Block, and Ulmer work together on the upgrades, many of which they can do themselves, saving an impressive amount of money for the camp. Ulmer is a carpenter and owned a contracting business before becoming the resident manager. 

“Ben and I are doing most of the construction except for the electricity and plumbing,” Ulmer said. “If it doesn’t operate, Ben operates on it,” Ulmer laughed.

Local Eagle Scouts have been helping with the upgrades, using Camp Wo-Me-To to do their community projects. Eagles have added picnic tables, and they installed benches in the vesper garden. They also planted flowers around the veteran’s memorial flag garden by the chapel and they’ve redone the sand volleyball court. There are plans for an Eagle Scout to install a low ropes circuit team-building course on the trails.

Guests will also appreciate the upgrade in the food, Ulmer said.

“The food’s great. We’ve been improving our food service. It’s not camp food. We have turkey dinners, roast pork, homemade baked ziti, lasagna and chicken breasts,” he said.

Now the camp is gearing up for girls' and boys’ camps and Ulmer is excited. He loves to see the boys and girls come and see God’s creation.

“In the city, they’re surrounded by manmade things – bridges and roads. They can’t even see the stars. When they’re out here they can see the trees, the grass, the flowing streams.”

They’ll be learning about the reality of God’s creation while being in the midst it. They can see the life teaming in and around the pond – tadpoles, frogs, fish, birds and insects. The cabins and lodges are set in the woods so the smells of the forest, plants and flowers is heavy in the air. It’s a paradise for kids who like the outdoors, or for grown-ups who never lost their sense of wonder.

The cabins and lodges are modernized, but still have the comfortable “campiness” to them. The little white chapel, with its steeple, looks like it’s out of a fairytale. The inside has the woodsy smell that adds to its quaintness. 

There’s plenty for groups to do while camping – swim in the pool, play volleyball, basketball, hike, fish, toast marshmallows, eat smores and learn about Jesus.

And don’t forget Wally, the camp dog. He greets visitors and keeps the wildlife alert by running with all his might through the woods jumping on critters that happen long the way. Ulmer said kids love Wally.

Ulmer said his desire is for the camp to be set apart for Christ, to come along side churches and help them accomplish what God has for them.

“We pray for every group that comes here by name and we lift them up before the Lord and ask that His Spirit moves and touches the heart of the people here.

“We want them to come here and sense the Lord’s presence,” he said.