Camp Winnekeag is growing stronger. Plans are underway for the construction of a new Pathfinder Lodge, which will replace the old A-frame lodge that currently faces the lake. During the 2025 camp meeting, Southern New England Conference (SNEC) and the Camp Ministries department announced the launch of “From Mites to Millions,” the fundraising campaign to raise $6 million for this new ministry tool.
“The construction timeline will be guided by faith and financial readiness,” said Tom Murray, SNEC treasurer at the time. “The estimated cost for the new lodge is $6.5 million. We plan to begin when the $3 million in cash and the $500,000 in pledges have been secured. We are blessed to share that $1.7 million has already been raised. Our prayer is to reach our fundraising goal by the end of 2025 and begin construction in the fall of 2026.”
Once a cornerstone of Camp Winnekeag’s ministry, the Pathfinder Lodge has faithfully served generations of youth, church groups, and conference events. Today, the aging infrastructure, with its limited space and outdated systems, restricts the excellence, hospitality, and year-round ministries that Camp Winnekeag is called to offer.
The new two-story lodge (see proposed image above) will feature 18 rooms with maximum occupancy of 72, handicap-accessible lodging, bathrooms in each room, youth and family retreat-friendly rooms, central air conditioning, a covered drop-off/pick-up entrance, a small kitchen, and a meeting area with a grand fireplace overlooking Lake Winnekeag.
But the new Pathfinder Lodge is not merely about bricks, mortar, and new features. It’s about creating a space that will allow Camp Winnekeag to expand its ministry and welcome all people in greater numbers. At its core, it’s about spreading the joy and love of the gospel farther and wider and equipping more and more people to be laborers for the harvest.
If you have a passion for camp ministry, if you’ve enjoyed even one great experience at Camp Winnekeag, or if its very name elicits a lifetime of fond memories for you, become part of its growth with a pledge, one-time donation, or a monthly gift for the new Pathfinder Lodge. Your gift of mites or millions—and anywhere in between—will help grow God’s kingdom. Join us as we move forward together in mission!
— Camp Ministries staff and communication team, Southern New England Conference
