Our History

How many times have you heard, Proverbs 29:18a: "Where there is no vision the people perish"?  Such a vision was seen for the young people that would soon run our churches and our country.  Reverend Heude Gaines and the Alton Association of General Baptist saw the vision for the young people. God blessed the Alton Association when Camp Hugh in Bunker Hill, Illinois was made into a reality. It was because of their vision for our young people that it was accomplished.

On Easter Sunday, March 29, 1970, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the first building.  The men and women of the Alton Association rolled up their sleeves and gave of their wealth so that Camp Hugh could be established.  The churches of the Alton Association pledged of their offerings each week to help pay for the camp and they are still giving monthly to keep the camp operating.

As the timing was right, each piece of the camping facility came to life.  A beautiful cartage marble fireplace in the "mess hall" became the focal point of the camp.  It came from a mansion that was being torn down to make room for an office building in the downtown district of the city of Alton.  While God's people know there is no such coincidence, one of the hospitals in Alton happened to be remodeling its dining facility.  The gave the Alton Association the stoves, ovens, counters, sinks, and every piece of stainless steel they could carry.  The Pastors and men of the Alton Association put many hours of labor into the project.  When it was completed, Camp Hugh had a kitchen facility that met all the requirements of the State of Illinois.

Contractors from the Alton area gave of their equipment and expertise so that Camp Hugh would be a facility that could be used for many generations.  Sam Crader and many of the young men, along with Charley & Freeman Withers, put numberless hours of labor into this project.  The unofficial slogan was. "You are building this for your children".  That is truly vision!  Many of those early builders not only saw their children use Camp Hugh, they have been able to see their grandchildren go there also.  Some have even had great-grandchildren attend.

Think of the untold number of young people who have made decisions for Christ through the ministry of this youth camp.  The list of campers, workers, teachers, and counselors is a who's who of General Baptist.  Our hats go off to those men and women who got a vision, set a goal and worked God's plan.

In August of 2015 ownership of the camp was transfered to Friendship General Baptist Church when the Alton Association was disbanned.