How We Began...
In 1975, a group from Frostburg United Methodist Church in Frostburg, Maryland, traveled to Kentucky to participate in a work camp. Upon their return, they began to see a similarity of housing needs and shared their concern for their own community.
Their minister at the time, Reverend Tom Kaylor, had recently seen a spiritual need with the youth he worked with and shared a vision of providing both a supportive Christian program for the youth and home repair for area residents in need.
Under the direction of Reverend Tom Kaylor and through the hard work of many committed people, the vision of CAMP HOPE became a reality in the summer of 1977.
Who we are today...
CAMP HOPE, Inc. is an independent organization serving Allegany County Maryland and the surrounding areas. Prior to 2020, around 400 youth and adults from various churches and denominations repair between 55 and 60 homes during a four-week period. After a 2 year hiatus due to COVID, from 2022 - 2025 we had between 150-200 campers repairing homes each summer. We served the area for over 45 years!
The impact of CAMP HOPE is felt by everyone involved. The church youth and adults say the experience enhances their personal relationship with God by providing hands-on mission work - Many youth return year after year. The individuals and families served receive home rehabilitation, home winterization, and safer homes, as well as an experience of Christian fellowship and also gain new hope for the future.
The CAMP HOPE vision was kept alive by the many volunteers and home owners as well as a committed Board of Directors, Projects Director Jim Mullan, Projects Assistant Craig Hartsock, Program Director Amy Willis, Administrative Director Ron Tenaglio, Secretary Linda Brumage, and several supply drivers and camp counselors. Without all of these dedicated individuals, CAMP HOPE would not have thrived in recent years.
Unfortunately, the summer of 2025 was the last summer of CAMP HOPE. This decision was not made lightly, and was based on a variety of factors including decreased homeowner applications, decreased church youth group applications, decreased staff application, and increased costs to run the program. We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to serve the communities in Frostburg, Cumberland, and beyond for 48 years. Thank you to all who supported our program over the years - It was life-changing to countless homeowners, campers, staff members, and community members.