Georgia WMU to re-build & re-new

CLAYTON - A Georgia Woman's Missionary Union fund-raising campaign that was launched last spring has generated enough cash to begin a long-awaited upgrade at Camp Pinnacle.

As of March 14, $269,567 has been received toward the $10 million capital campaign and endowment program that will carry the organization 20 years into the future. That figure approaches the $275,000 threshold that board members require to be met before the first shovel can be turned at the camp.

That first shovel may not appear immediately, but chainsaws are already humming on the approach road as trees are felled to begin site preparation for construction of the first cabin. The north Georgia retreat center, the major beneficiary of the effort, will be upgraded with more comfortable facilities that will enhance its ministry.

"Camp Pinnacle's original buildings have served us well for the past 54 years, but many of those structures are no longer adequate to meet the needs of the 21st century," said WMU Executive Director-Treasurer Barbara Curnutt.

"Until the new lodge and gym were built in 1997, Camp Pinnacle was primarily a summer camp that was not adequate for year-round use. Many of the cabins were not constructed to be used in the colder winter months, which limit their effectiveness. This campaign will improve Camp Pinnacle so its ministry will offer campers and conference goers a better year-round experience," she said.

 

Four phases of campaign

Called "Celebrate Our Missions Future," the campaign has two components: a $6.6 million capital campaign for Camp Pinnacle and a $3.4 million endowment for the camp and unrestricted endowment. The unrestricted endowment will provide for leadership development, scholarships, and funds for hands-on missions involvement like prayer walking, evangelistic outreach, and local ministries like WMU's Christian Women's Job Corps.

The capital campaign will be divided into four phases. Each phase will detail specific improvements to the popular retreat center, with an additional portion being set aside for the endowment program.

"Camp Pinnacle has been the birthplace of thousands of decisions for Christ for the past 53 years and we want to be sure that those kinds of experiences continue to occur in the future. Decisions for Christ - whether they be professions of faith, rededications, or surrendering to missions service - provide the foundation for the continuing of our faith," said Janet Hill, former Georgia WMU president and statewide endowment consultant.

"We want to provide a solid foundation so that those decisions - through conversions, the commitment to be better Christian teens and young women, and the convictions from women who seek to be better mothers and wives - continue without ceasing.

"Camp Pinnacle is woven into the lives of those who have come to Christ while attending summer camp or a weekend retreat sponsored by a church. Its value to Georgia Baptist women is priceless," the member of First Blairsville commented.

 

Only the chapel, new lodge will remain

With that gratitude to the past, Georgia WMU wants to provide a source of funds where improvements to the facilities can be made without destroying the historical and spiritual significance of the setting.

Curnutt said virtually every original building will be razed and be replaced by new, up-to-date structures, beginning first with the cabins. The only buildings that will not be replaced are the chapel, which will be remodeled, and the lodge, which includes the gym and dining hall.

As funds become available, the 20-year master plan calls for the construction of an infirmary, four cottages, missionary residence, mini-lodge, amphitheatre, prayer garden, and open-air pavilion.

Camp Pinnacle, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1997, is owned and operated by Georgia WMU and receives no Cooperative Program funds for operation or maintenance of its buildings. Until the lodge - which houses the new gym, dining hall, and hotel-style accommodations - was dedicated in 1997 its use was limited to summer months. The addition of that multi-purpose building expanded its ministry as a year-round conference center.

"We feel that Camp Pinnacle has a very special place in meeting the needs of smaller groups in a more intimate setting than the larger conference centers operated by the Georgia Baptist Convention," Curnutt explained. "We do not envision an upgraded Camp Pinnacle as a competitor to Georgia Baptists' other conference centers.

"We regularly divert larger groups to Norman Park and Toccoa and maintain a healthy relationship with those ministries.

"We see Camp Pinnacle as an asset to Georgia Baptists with its unique ministry deeply rooted in our state convention," she added. "Camp Pinnacle, by design, will remain smaller than those much larger facilities but will more effectively meet the needs of individuals seeking a retreat in a compact setting."

Curnutt said she does not foresee a significant growth in programs at the facility.

"It is desirable to maintain the current intimacy of a small but quality facility. Ultimately, a total sleeping quarters capacity not greater than 300 is desired."

Sharpsburg resident Ann Watts, who is completing her fourth year as president of the group, reflected on the past and future impact the camp has had on Georgia Baptists.

"In 1994 I had just come on the Executive Board as divisional vice president when we began to dream a dream and formulate a vision for the future of Camp Pinnacle. That dream resulted in the building of the conference and retreat center, which was completed three years later. It's humbling to serve as our president at this significant time in the life of BWMU of Georgia.

"As we have launched this capital campaign we continue to step out in faith and focus that vision. God is leading us into the future as we anticipate breaking ground to replace the first cabin.

"For almost 60 years in this quiet mountain setting, thousands of girls have heard and answered God's call on their life. Many are faithfully serving him as leaders in our churches today.

"I have been privileged to hear several of our missionaries say that they first received their call to missions at Camp Pinnacle. Its impact truly encircles our world," said Watts, a member and pianist at East Newnan Baptist Church.

Site preparation for the first cabin began earlier this month as trees were removed on the left-hand side of the approach road. The first cabins will overlook the lake and Pinnacle Mountain. Site preparation will continue through the spring, be suspended during the busy summer camp season, and resume in the fall.

Initially, no cabins will be replaced as the project gains momentum. Three cabins will be constructed before any older units are replaced, Curnutt explained.

The master plan does not call for adding cabins but for replacing the aging structures, some of which date to 1947 when the federal government's Works Progress Administration constructed them. Georgia Baptist volunteers built the remaining units in the rustic setting.

Currently there are seven buildings with two cabins per building. As in the new floor plan, each existing cabin sleeps 12 campers in a dormitory setting plus two counselors. A central gathering room is featured in the new floor plan. A total of nine new cabins will be constructed and will include two private rooms for the counselors.

Camp Administrator Joe Moss praised the rebuilding effort citing the savings that will come from reduced maintenance costs. Moss also stated the new cabins will more versatile, accommodating small groups year around who would not need to meet in the larger lodge facility.

CDH Partners of Marietta produced the campus master plan. The firm provides architecture, engineering, interior design, and construction services for projects nationwide.

Don Dorsey, who attends First Baptist Church of Marietta and is a partner in the firm, said the master plan will "greatly enhance the camp's ability to serve the needs of Georgia Baptists in a more comfortable setting year-round."

As in the original construction, Georgia Baptist volunteers will provide the sweat equity resulting in greater savings for WMU. Larry Corbett, a layman and a member of New Life Baptist Church of Adel, will oversee cabin construction.

 

Camp Pinnacle Overview

The 20-year master plan to upgrade Camp Pinnacle will be phased in as funds become available.

The upgrade is part of a $10 million capital campaign and endowment program that will bring the camp into the 21st century as well as provide unrestricted endowment.

Plans call for $6.6 million to be earmarked for camp upgrades and $3.4 million for endowment for the camp and for unrestricted endowment

Phase I

• Three new cabins
• Gym renovation

Phase II

• Four new cabins
• Parking circulation
• Infirmary
• One two-bedroom cottage
• Storage Shed

Phase III

• Eagles Nest
• One two-bedroom cottage
• Two min-lodges
• One three-bedroom cottage
• Chapel renovation
• Lake remedial work

Phase IV

• One three-bedroom cottage
• Pavilion
• Missionary residence
• Lodge and conference upgrade
• Security fence
• Amphitheatre
• Pedestrian bridges
• Upgrade village field
• Prayer garden