Camp Mitchell Camp and Retreat Center

History

Camp Mitchell is both an event and a facility. Camp Mitchell, the event, was organized as a children's summer camp by then Bishop R. Bland Mitchell and was first held in the mid-1930s on Stout's Point (the actual site of Petit Jean's grave) and later at Mather Lodge. By 1946 Bishop Mitchel and the Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas had purchased the point and the acreage extending westward and Camp Mitchell, the facility, was established.

A popular site for retreats, conferences, reunions and weddings, this beautiful facility is home to such annual Episcopal events as the Arkansas Youth Event, Winterstar, Women's Institute, Cursillio, Clergy Conference, Commission on Ministry meetings and Deacon's Retreat Weekend as well as eight Summer Camp sessions. Camp Mitchell is also the long-time host to many non-Episcopal groups such as the Ecumenical Buddhist Society of Little Rock and the Arkansas Konference of Young People in A.A. (ARKYPAA) which recently held its 21st consecutive annual convention event here.

Timeline:

1946 — 450 acres purchased from YMCA which included a "swimming pool" created by damming a stream at the western end of the property and two open-air pavilions; one attached to a small stone lodge which was the caretaker's residence (later converted to become Hoke Lodge); and one which was made into a dining hall.

1948 — 30 "hutments" purchased from the U.S. Army for use as boys and girls cabins.

1955 — Chapel of the Transfiguration dedicated.

1960 — Burke Hall and its two adjoining open-air pavilions completed.

1966 — Two permanent bunkhouses (known as "Boys 1 & 2" and "Boys 3 & 4") completed, courtesy of St. Mark's, Crossett and Christ Church, Little Rock.

1967 — Executive Director's residence completed.

1968 — Resident Maintenance Manager's residence completed.

1969 — St. Andrew's Cabin completed.

1970 — New sewer system and wastewater treatment plant installed.

1971 — New Dining Hall completed.

1973 — Darragh Cabin built in memory of Valeria and Kraemer Darragh.

1974 — Newport Cabin completed.

1974 — Grace Lodge completed.

1978 — Canterbury Lodge and surrounding 20 acres adjacent to existing property purchased by Bishop Keller.

1979 — @130 acres on Stout's Point, including Petit Jean's grave site, leased to Arkansas Parks Department.

1981 — Tennis courts installed.

1981 — Howe and Log Cabins completed.

1987 — New swimming pool installed.

1992 — Keller Dining Hall completed.

1993 — Infirmary building completed.

1994 — Old water tower demolished.

1997 — Property North of Rt. 154 across from main campus (39 acres) purchased.

2001 — Howe Cabin destroyed by electrical fire.

2002 — Hoke Lodge enlarged and renovated.

2002 — Youth Cabin completed.

2002 — Boys 3 & 4 bunkhouse converted to hotel-style rooms. Renamed "All Gifts Come From Above" Cabin.

2003 — Howe Cabin rebuilt.

2003 — Burke Hall improved with new insulated windows and central heat/air.

2006 -- Rebuilt bathrooms in Burke Hall (made handicapped accessible)


A ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas
Menu: Home Policies Facilities Contact Us Donations Pictures History Form Downloads Camp Mitchell Calendar Search:	History Camp Mitchell is both an event and a facility. Camp Mitchell, the event, was organized as a children's summer camp by then Bishop R. Bland Mitchell and was first held in the mid-1930s on Stout's Point (the actual site of Petit Jean's grave) and later at Mather Lodge. By 1946 Bishop Mitchel and the Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas had purchased the point and the acreage extending westward and Camp Mitchell, the facility, was established. A popular site for retreats, conferences, reunions and weddings, this beautiful facility is home to such annual Episcopal events as the Arkansas Youth Event, Winterstar, Women's Institute, Cursillio, Clergy Conference, Commission on Ministry meetings and Deacon's Retreat Weekend as well as eight Summer Camp sessions. Camp Mitchell is also the long-time host to many non-Episcopal groups such as the Ecumenical Buddhist Society of Little Rock and the Arkansas Konference of Young People in A.A. (ARKYPAA) which recently held its 21st consecutive annual convention event here. Timeline: 1946 — 450 acres purchased from YMCA which included a "swimming pool" created by damming a stream at the western end of the property and two open-air pavilions; one attached to a small stone lodge which was the caretaker's residence (later converted to become Hoke Lodge); and one which was made into a dining hall. 1948 — 30 "hutments" purchased from the U.S. Army for use as boys and girls cabins. 1955 — Chapel of the Transfiguration dedicated. 1960 — Burke Hall and its two adjoining open-air pavilions completed. 1966 — Two permanent bunkhouses (known as "Boys 1 & 2" and "Boys 3 & 4") completed, courtesy of St. Mark's, Crossett and Christ Church, Little Rock. 1967 — Executive Director's residence completed. 1968 — Resident Maintenance Manager's residence completed. 1969 — St. Andrew's Cabin completed. 1970 — New sewer system and wastewater treatment plant installed. 1971 — New Dining Hall completed. 1973 — Darragh Cabin built in memory of Valeria and Kraemer Darragh. 1974 — Newport Cabin completed. 1974 — Grace Lodge completed. 1978 — Canterbury Lodge and surrounding 20 acres adjacent to existing property purchased by Bishop Keller. 1979 — @130 acres on Stout's Point, including Petit Jean's grave site, leased to Arkansas Parks Department. 1981 — Tennis courts installed. 1981 — Howe and Log Cabins completed. 1987 — New swimming pool installed. 1992 — Keller Dining Hall completed. 1993 — Infirmary building completed. 1994 — Old water tower demolished. 1997 — Property North of Rt. 154 across from main campus (39 acres) purchased. 2001 — Howe Cabin destroyed by electrical fire. 2002 — Hoke Lodge enlarged and renovated. 2002 — Youth Cabin completed. 2002 — Boys 3 & 4 bunkhouse converted to hotel-style rooms. Renamed "All Gifts Come From Above" Cabin. 2003 — Howe Cabin rebuilt. 2003 — Burke Hall improved with new insulated windows and central heat/air. 2006 -- Rebuilt bathrooms in Burke Hall (made handicapped accessible)