Camp Au Sable's Story
About Us
The year was 1947. The place was a hotel in Saginaw, Michigan. The date was December 3. It took only a stroke of a pen and a check for $30,000 and 840 acres of woods with a 100 acre private lake belonged to the Michigan Conference of SDA. It was there that the story of what we call Camp Au Sable began.
Camp Au Sable
HIstory
- 1948 – The dining hall and two cabins were constructed
- 1949 – First camps at Au Sable:
- July 31- August 7 – First boy’s camp
- August 7 – 14 – Second boy’s camp
- August 14- 21 – First girl’s camp (almost everyone stayed in tents)
- 1951 – Medical building and three more double cabins
- 1953 – Staff building and Chapel in The Woods
- 1954 – Craft building erected
- 1955 – First permanent caretaker moved onto camp property
- 1957 – First wilderness camp and winter camp
- 1965 – Forest fire which destroyed only about 2 acres
- 1966 – Cedar village built and first year both boys and girls had camp at the same time.
- 1970 – New shop built
- 1971 – A busy year when the barn was built and the horse area was established
- Fort Shellenbarger completed – Mission Village cabin built across the lake. First wedding performed at Chapel in the Woods – Athletic shed built – Saw mill constructed – Camp Director’s cabin erected
- 1973 – Nature Center opened
- 1975 – Cedar Lodge built
- 1977 – New entrance sign over road
- 1978 – New home built for camp manager
- 1979 – Parking lot and part of road paved
- 1980 – New road built from entrance on M-72
- 1981 – Entrance sign moved to M-72 entrance – road paved from highway to dining hall
- 1982 – 1986 Mini-Mac bridge built – barn enlarged and horse shed constructed
- 1987 – Nature Center enlarged and new modern rest rooms built
- 1991 – Updated tack shed with classroom for teaching horsemanship
- 1993 – Forest Lodge built
- 1994 – Auditorium completed
- 1997 – Car Insurance at Diggy Go Cart track finished
- 2001 – Astronomy Observatory
- 2002 – Fort rebuilt with treated poles
- 2003 – RV Park built
- 2008 – Store remodeled and expanded
- 2009 – New docks for swimming area
- 2009 – New kitchen
I love camp. I always have a blast. I miss all my friends and my favorite horse, Legand. I miss my friends Josh, DJ, and Rhett from camp of 2012. I cant wait to go again.
Adria LarsenCamper 2010 - 2012
Camp for me was a life changing experience. I got to learn of this true and loving God who cares for me and loves me so much he even died for me. If it wasn’t for this camp I don’t know where my walk with God would be. I vowed that one day i would work there so i could change young lives like the staff and camp did mine! I can never Thank you enough for all you did for me.
Mackenzie RichardsonCamper 2003 - 2010
I love camp I always meet so many friends and the counselors are soooooo awesome
Lynn MukwadaCamper 2009 - Present
I attended several family camps and winter camps during the period. Many fond memories, including ceramics and sailing, walking through the woods. I subsequently lived in California and even worked at Leoni Meadows there, but Camp au Sable always will have a place in my heart.
Marc HeffnerCamper 1980 - 1987
Oh my goodness! This was one of the most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced in my life! this was my first year and I hope to come to many more. I’ve literally been dreaming about camp since I’ve gotten home. I think one of my favorite things was the Passion Play. I would do anything to see it again… I miss you guys!
Anthony ReyesCamper 2012 - Present
I have so many fond memories of Camp Au Sable and Hartwick Pines! I remember going there in the winter on campouts with the Holly Pathfinder group. What fun we had! OH, the memories! Then going there for Bible Camp while attending Adelphian Academy. I will always cherish the wonderful experiences of being at Camp Au Sable. It even brought tears to my eyes when I found this site and started reading other’s memories. What a fun time in my life it was!!!
Margay Wilson WrightCamper 1970 - 1977
I have always enjoyed Campausable because they have good food, a lot of fun stuff to do, and good spiritual lessons. God has blessed Campausable greatly. I think everybody should go to summer camp. Thank you Campausable staff for all you do and thank you God for helping the staff make Camp a better place and to help us understand and know you better.
Ryan OwitiCamper 2005 - Present
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