Wakanda... 
the Spirit that exists in all living things.

With 160 acres of pristine Northern Michigan woodlands, Camp Wakanda is the kind of place that will get into your soul and stay there; no place else can duplicate the smells, dreams, and beauty of this rolling, sandy forest with its odd shaped little lake.  And, for the Allen Park Presbyterian Church, no place else can convey the Spirit that resides in all living things as well as does Camp Wakanda.

For more info: CAMP

Be sure to watch the slideshow below.

From the beginning, the land we call Wakanda was formed by glacial activity and most likely roamed by Native Americans and early hunters.  Part of the large virgin forests of Michigan, Wakanda is located in the north-central part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.  It was also in the heart of the great timbering industry; an industry that stripped Michigan of nearly all of its virgin woodlands.  In fact, one of the legends of Wakanda is that the narrow iron tracks that once carried railroad cars filled with timber still lie beneath the surface of the trail that runs from the main road to the northern part of the camp property.  On these tracks, lumbermen of old rolled untold board feet of trees that helped build the homes and industries of Michigan and Chicago.  Fortunately for us, the once wood covered, then barren lands, have returned to a stage resembling the forests of old.

​Camp Wakanda.  Here is where we meet God in the sound of the breeze in the pines, the warm sun, the cool waters of El Lake, morning watch at the outdoor chapel, fun on the ball field and our songs and worship around the campfire.  Whether it's a winter retreat, a fall color camp or summer camp, Wakanda is filled with lots of great memories, growing faith, lasting friendships, and the Spirit of God.

 We are ready to "Wakanda" - now we just need you...

Come to serve, come to learn, come to play, come to relax - there is a place for everyone at Camp Wakanda

Shipmates Camp July 6-9, 2017

Morning Watch - hear God's word.

Winter Camping Season

"Anchored" Middle School Winter Retreat -January 27-29, 2017

Wakanda throughout the ages...

Camp is a very special place where lasting friendships and memories are made!  Camp Wakanda changes lives and leaves a lasting impression.  When posting on social media, please use the hashtag: #campwakandakid so we can see all your pictures!  ​​

Our recorded history of Wakanda ownership begins with a United States Land Grant of 1866.  This land grant included not only the Camp property, but also many hundreds of acres beyond the borders of our Wakanda.  Since that original land grant, the property went through numerous property transfers, including several times reverting to the State of Michigan for non-payment of taxes.
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During the 1930’s, we know that the 160 acres of Wakanda, including the small lake called El Lake, was being used as a hunting camp. In May of 1941 six of Allen Park’s early families decided that the property would be ideal for a Boy Scout camp.  The six families came together to purchase the property and deed it to the Allen Park Presbyterian Church.  The total price paid for the property was twenty-one hundred dollars ($2,100). 

Wakanda, the Spirit that exists in all living things, has found its way into the hearts and souls of the members of the Allen Park Presbyterian Church.  Uncounted stories can be told by men who traveled through snow storms to rebuild a collapsed roof, or who gave their weekends to build cabins and install plumbing.  Or the scores of people, adults and children, who planted thousands of pine seedlings to ensure a continuing canopy of God’s wonders; of Scouts who learned to marvel at the Universe or who built the Nature Trail or did other ministries to earn their badges.  And the memories of the lumbering that took place, not only years ago, but also selectively during the Church history; or the oil and gas wells that were drilled and provide a small and erratic income to the Church’s endowment fund.  And the mysteries of Camp… the sink holes in the western part of the property, the “dead lake” in the eastern part, the continuing fluctuation of the water level of El Lake, and the hidden dumping grounds that hold artifacts of previous years and previous owners.

An early history of the Scout Troop describes how Wakanda got its name.  In 1953, the scouts had a contest to name what had been called “the boy scout camp.”  A new scout --a “tender foot” -- Carlton Speck, (the son of Doctor Carlos Speck, one of the early sponsors and an original member of the Camp Committee) won the contest with the name “Camp Wakanda.”  Wakanda derives from the name used by the Dakota Indians (which includes the Sioux tribes) for the spirit that resides in all living things.  Other American Indian names with the same meaning are Wakan-Tanka, Wakan and Wakonda.

So Fonda Wakanda
Music:  Steve Ogdie
Lyrics:  2006 SHYC Winter Retreat
 
There’s a place I wanna go today,
Not far but another world away
It’s my home away from home
Where I belong, I’m never alone
 
There’s a spirit about the place
When your soul’s worn down
And you need some grace
You can come and get away,
 
Leave time behind, get away
‘Til then, we’re counting our days
 
So  Fonda Wakanda,
And so we’ll take it back home

Think also of the memories that we carry forever: of the legend of “Swampy Sadie”, the laughter of “Broken Toe”, and the music of the campfires; of friendships made, childhoods grown and faiths strengthened; of community worship or private moments at Chapel Point.  The beaver huts and stories of wildlife: bear, deer, porcupines, and eagles; all wonders of God’s world.  Wonders that can’t be found in the city, but can be found in the memories and carried in the personalities of Wakanda’s campers… men, women, and children.
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And when you are at Wakanda, take time to listen; be still and listen.  Listen to the years, to the wind softly caressing the trees, to the waters of the lake lapping gently on the shore.  Hear the echoes of the years; of laughter as children play and of prayers and music as people worship.  Listen also to the crackles of the campfires and remember the dancing flames that bring camper’s thoughts to a special place.  Listen and feel God’s presence, feel Wakanda, feel the Spirit.

There are too many names to mention of people who have loved Wakanda and who gave of their time, talents and treasures to make Camp Wakanda a reality in our lives; so many people who live with Wakanda in their hearts.  One needs to walk the property, to note the memorial plaques on buildings and walls and to reflect on the donations made by these individuals in the name of God’s ministry.  And reflect on those who have given their works, and have gone to join the Saints in Heaven.  How many stories?  How many tears?  How many prayers?  Surely a love of children, of nature and of God is what led them to their works.  Thank you God for those who had the vision and for those who had the commitment; without them it would not have been possible.  Truly, the Spirit that resides in all living things resides in we who have camped there, worked there, and worshiped there.

"...but both with those who stand here with us today in the presence of the LORD our God and with those who are not with us here today." Deuteronomy 29:15

For more info click: Camp Wakanda
Find us on Facebook: Camp Wakanda
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Would you like to support our outdoor ministry! Consider a gift to APPC's Camp Wakanda and help keep Christ alive through our camping ministry! And these gifts are tax deductible!  Wish List

Dining Hall Kitchen Renovation - Phase I (August 2016)

During the summer of 2016, major renovations were needed in the Dining Hall Kitchen at Camp Wakanda.  Through a generous donation, Phase I was completed through the efforts of the Young Adult Camp '16 and a hard working Labor Day Work Camp.  Phase II must be completed before the start of the 2017 Summer Camping to be in complete compliance with all State of Michigan codes and to feed our hungry campers!  On the top of our wish list is a much-needed new stove. 

Watch the kitchen renovation slideshow.

During the Young Adult Closing Camp, everything was removed  from the kitchen at Camp Wakanda. During the Labor Day Work Camp, repairs were made to the floor, new drains and lights were installed, the electrical was updated, and the floor was rebuilt and tiled.  

One of these youth in his Statement of Faith during Confirmation said that he wanted to serve at Camp Wakanda.  Shortly thereafter, this became a reality.  Removing this tile proved to be one of the most challenging issues in completing this project.  These hard-working youth prevailed. 

May 2017 - Kleinsmith Kitchen nearly complete

As soon as the new stove and counter is installed the Dining Hall kitchen will be 100% complete.  Thank you to Nick Mikolajewski, Tim Martin and everyone for their faithful dedication and hard work for this renovation.

Wakanda... 
the Spirit that exists in all living things.

May the gate of Wakanda always be open, 
May the sun always warm our day.
May the stars always be above our heads.
May the water always quench our thirst.
And until we meet again.
May God hold you in the palm of God's hand. Amen