The story of the Jennings Lodge campground began in the Oregon wilderness, though in some ways its inception can be tied to movements that began many years before the land was platted. The Camp Meeting movement, which encouraged outdoor gatherings for Protestant religious services, gained popularity in America in the 1800’s. In the early 1900’s the Chautauqua movement, which focused on adult outdoor education and recreation, also became popular. It was in this social climate that the Camp Meeting society purchased the property for what would become the Jennings Lodge Campgrounds in 1905.

Both the Chautauqua and Camp Meeting Movements were popular in rural America and brought people together outdoors for educational and communal experiences. Camp meetings, starting in the late 1700s, focused on intense religious revival and personal faith. Chautauqua, which began in the late 1800s, was more about broad educational and cultural enrichment. Camp meetings were emotionally charged while Chautauqua was aimed at intellectual growth and self-improvement.

In 1900, it has been estimated that 1,500 to 2,000 camp meetings took place annually in the United States. By 1998, the number was estimated to be around 1,500 annual camp meetings that were still active. Today, camp meetings are lively events that bring people together for worship, community, and tradition. These gatherings attract individuals from different backgrounds and often include sermons, music, and fun activities held outdoors. Modern camp meetings focus on spiritual renewal and building connections just like they did in the 19th and 20th centuries. They also encourage cooperation among different Christian groups, promoting a shared mission of faith. This tradition shows how early revival movements continue to shape our communities today.

While Jennings Lodge began expanding with more permanent structures beginning in the 1920’s, campground attendees still often found themselves “roughing it” it in the outdoors. Tents, campers, and cots were common dwellings, and the risk of being subjected to the elements was ever present. Still, many former camp-goers have fond memories of these experiences at Jennings Lodge.

Attendance at Jennings Lodge Camp increased over the years, reaching a peak of 2,500 in 1954. By 1983, a resurgence brought an estimated 10,000 attendees, but by the late 1980s, reports about the camp had faded. The camp's use declined in the 1990s, and many buildings were abandoned, but its impact on faith, community, and education made Jennings Lodge a key chapter in the history of the Evangelical Church.

Founded in 1905, Jennings Lodge Camp was a gathering place for over 100 years, becoming Oregon's second-oldest operating camp meeting and one of the oldest in the U.S. Led by the Evangelical Church, it offered a rural retreat for city dwellers from Portland and beyond.

Camp meetings at the Jennings Lodge Camp gave attendees renewed courage to return to their daily lives. After attending a camp meeting, Keturah Belknap wrote in her diary, “We will go home with renewed courage and take up the busy cares of life again, but we feel that we have gained so much strength ... [and] Spirituality that the burdens of life See[m] lighter... “

Beyond Jennings Lodge Camp, Oregonians have marveled at the state’s natural beauty for generations. Wilderness and outdoor retreats for people of all ages, denominations, and identities have sprung up throughout Clackamas County, each connected by an appreciation of the natural world.

With roots in evangelicalism and the growth of the middle class, the Young Women’s Christian Association began in the 19th century to promote Christian values, spread the Gospel, and support social causes. In 1918, the YWCA launched its Girl Reserves to support young women aged 12-18 during World War I. In Oregon, the program flourished through neighborhood and school-based clubs, fostering female solidarity, Christian faith, and civic engagement. Girl Reserves clubs provided guidance on various topics, from Bible study to career advice.

Starting in 1936, the YWCA offered education programs at Camp Westwind for the Girl Reserves focused on leadership, outdoor skills, and environmental awareness with activities that included exercise, hiking, and horseback riding.