Camp
Symonette
James Cistern
Eleuthera
Make Reservations to Use Camp
Symonette
Camp Symonette –
History
The idea of a Methodist Camp Facility on the island of
Eleuthera was given birth in 1976, following the first
District Youth Conference/Camp to be held in
Eleuthera.
The conference was held at Windermere High School in August
1976. Two hundred fifty-three (253) persons attended from all
over The Bahamas, the Caribbean and from Florida. With
the overwhelming support of the youth conference, a meeting
was held and the decision was made to approach Sir Roland
Symonette with the possibility of helping with the
project.
Mr. Henry Whyte, Mr. Robert Johnson, Mr. Freddie Ferguson, Ms.
Rosie Gibson, Mr. Craig Cates, Mr. David Knowles and Mrs.
Janette Cates, joined with Mr. Reg Eldon to speak with Sir
Roland on giving the land for the camp sight.
The present site was selected and plans were drawn to build
two camp villages, one in a Bahamian clapboard design and one
in a Bahamian Fishing Smack Boat design.
During the events from 1976 – 1979, a breakdown in
communications occurred between Sir Roland Symonette and the
then Chairman of District, Rev. Eric Clarke. Politics entered
the discussions, coming as it did at the time of Sir Roland’s
retirement from the House of Assembly. Many in the District’s
General Purpose Committee interpreted Sir Roland’s offer as a
political move and in a meeting of the General Purposes
Committee, under the direction of Rev. Clarke, the district
refused Sir Roland’s offer.
Sir Roland continued with plans to build the campsite. He
produced new plans (the present site) and completed the
building in the late 1970’s.
A Dedication service was held with Rev. Prince Hepburn in
attendance.
The campsite was used during the summers. Before Sir Roland’s
death, the campsite was entrusted to the care of the Seventh
Day Adventist Church. The Seventh Day provided an elderly
couple as caretakers, who were resident at the caretaker’s
cottage for a period. In 1982 Lady Symonette asked Mr. Reg
Eldon to assist her in getting the camp back on stream and
marketing the facility.
Mr. James Slevcove from California was employed as a
consultant and a team was formed in Eleuthera to assist with
promoting the facility. Many Methodist persons were invited as
well as Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Rolle and Ms. Lavinia Sands.
By 1984, the campsite had been totally restored and was ready
to rent.
The Methodist Youth Camps were now taking place totally at
Camp Symonette and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Whyte were serving as
the caretakers.
Mr. Reg Eldon served with Lady Symonette as camp consultant
from 1982 until 1992.
In 1992, Camp Symonette was severely damaged by hurricane
Andrew. Shortly after the hurricane, Lady Symonette decided
that it was not possible for her to continue with the repairs
and the overall management for the campsite. Discussions began
with Mr. Eldon the possibility of the campsite being leased to
the New Methodist Church in The Bahamas. A.R.M., the
administrated body for the church at the time, formally agreed
and plans were made for the Methodist Church, through its
youth department, to assume responsibility for the
campsite.
This also meant coping with the repairs from Hurricane Andrew.
Mr. Sean Ingraham was employed to oversee the repairs and
churches and individuals throughout the conference gave money
to help finance the repairs. Major donations were received
from City Lumber Yard and the Burton D. Morgan Foundation in
Ohio, USA. To facilitate the management of the campsite, a
Board of Directors was appointed, with Ms. Rosie Gibson and
Mr. Robert Johnson as Chairpersons, and Mr. Joan Hilton and
Ms. Sandra Cartwright as Treasurers.
Mr. Martin Gaitor now serves as caretaker.
We thank God for the completion of the full circle and we are
now where we once started.
