Bethany Hills Camp
| Montgomery Bell State Park | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Location of Bethany Hills Camp in Tennessee | |
| Location | Cheatham County, Tennessee, United States |
| Coordinates | 36°06′07″N 87°10′05″W / 36.102°N 87.168°W[1] |
| Area | 370 acres (150 ha) |
| Elevation | 758 ft (231 m)[1] |
| Established | ~1900 |
| Named for | Mary of Bethany |
| Visitors | avg. 1,000+ a year |
| Governing body | The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Tennessee |
| Website | http://tndisciples.org/bethany-hills |
Bethany Hills Camp & Conference Center is a campground in Kingston Springs, Tennessee, United States. The camp covers 370 acres (150 ha) and its official elevation is 643 feet (196 m).[1] However, actual elevations range from 590 feet to 780 feet. The camp is open for year-round recreation including canoeing, hiking, camping, fishing, and swimming. Bethany Hills Camp was built in approximately 1900 by Nashville social worker, Fannie Battle, as "Thomas" Fresh Air Camp.[2] It has since been purchased by the Disciples of Christ (CCTN) and has been renamed for Biblical character, Mary of Bethany.
History
Bethany Hills Camp is located on the border of Cheatham and Dickson counties in Middle Tennessee. Although the camp's founder, Fannie Battle, originally created it in hopes of providing a pleasant, healthy vacation and convalescence facility for improvised mothers and their children, it eventually became a place where children susceptible or infected with tuberculosis could come to have fresh, country air.[3] In memory of Major John W. Thomas, who supplied funds and work for the camp during its infancy, it was named "Camp Thomas."[4]
Shortly after its opening, Camp Thomas switched to an all-year schedule, caring for those who were too sick (or unable) to leave the camp during the winter months.[4] It included dormitories for boys and girls, cottages dotted among the trees on the hillsides, a children's temple, a baby building (nursery), and other necessary buildings.[4] Although many of the original facilities have since been torn down, the original Dining Hall/Dormitory still stands, the two natural refrigerators remain, and the log cabin still sits upon its original hill.
Sometime during the mid to late 1950s, Camp Thomas was bought by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Tennessee, and has since operated as a camp/conference center for the region. Its busiest time is during the summer months when it serves as a summer camp for youth, but it also rents out areas during the colder winter season to groups and organizations not affiliated with the church.
Conference Center
Although it offers groups the opportunity to camp, both in backwoods locations and in fields, Bethany Hills Camp's primary focus is large scale group conventions.[5] The camp features an inn and conference center, 13 cabins, a recreation center, an arts and crafts lodge ("Puttery Shop"), a campfire area, a playground, several walking trails, a stocked lake, and a swimming [[pool]. [5] The Lodge has 10 dorm-style rooms, housing 60 guests, and is located at the center of camp. It has wireless internet, central heating, bathrooms, a kitchen, and a meeting room. The meeting room features "standard business items" such as microphones, projectors, and DVD players.[5] 13 cabins (3 winterized) are fully furnished and offer rooming for 156 people.[5] The Dining Hall, which can seat 160 people, serves a southern style buffet and provides food for all groups.[5]
Recreation
Bethany Hills Camp is open for year-round recreation.[5] There are miles of hiking trails at the park. Canoeing and fishing are permitted on the lake. Common game fish in the lakes include crappie, bluegill, catfish, and carp. Camping is allowed along all trails, permitted if one has permission from the camp manager. A large outdoor pool is available to cool off during the summer months.[5] Additionally, a large field, circled by a small creek, allows for large-scale camping for groups such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Future
Since the appointment of Rev. Dr. Christal Williams, there has been a push for "revitalizing" Bethany Hills. The Lodge has been reroofed, Internet has been brought to camp, and discussions have started concerning air-conditioning some (if not all) the indoor spaces. Despite these improvements, the future of the camp is uncertain. Several Camp Managers have been replaced, staff is no longer hired for the summers (instead running on volunteers), and its facilities are falling into disrepair due to lower budgets each year. Although the camp functions as the primary income stream for the region, and although it functions as the only area where members of different congregations can come together, recently there have been talks of selling the camp. As such, there has been a push within communities surrounding Bethany Hills to get it protected (or Landmark) status.
References
- ^ a b c "Bethany Hills Camp". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. May 19, 1980. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
- ^ "Fannie Battle Day Home Records, ca. 1905-ca. 1998 (bulk 1905-1972)" (PDF). Fannie Battle Day Home. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
- ^ N/A. "Craggie Hope, Tennessee". Hope Info. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
- ^ a b c "CCHGA Bytes" (PDF). Cheatham County Historical and Genealogical Association. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Bethany Hills Camp". CCTN. Retrieved May 15, 2019.