Camp Massanetta facts for kids

Massanetta Springs Camp & Conference Center is a special place in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It's run by the Presbyterian church. This center helps people grow in their faith and offers many fun activities. It has three main parts: guest services, conference ministries, and Camp Massanetta. The whole area covers about 200 acres (0.81 km²).

Welcome to Camp Massanetta

Camp Massanetta is a fun place for young people. It first opened in 1956. You can find many cool things here. There are places for archery and hiking trails. The camp has four villages where campers stay. There's also a pool and a lake for swimming and relaxing.

You'll also find a picnic area and a large building for meals and events. There's a camp office and a special ropes course for adventures. A nurse's station is on site to help if anyone gets sick. The Massanetta Springs Conference Center and a historic hotel are also part of this big property.

Camp History and New Directions

Camp Massanetta started offering residential camps in 1956. However, the regular sleep-away camp program changed in 2008. The camp decided to try new things.

Now, one main program is called Mission@Massanetta. This program gives young people and adults a chance to help others. They do mission work in different parts of Harrisonburg, Virginia, Rockingham County, and Augusta County.

Special Programs and Camps

Massanetta Springs also hosts "Brainy Camps." These are special camps for kids and teens. They are designed for those with certain health conditions. These include Tourette syndrome, Asperger syndrome, neurofibromatosis, and epilepsy. The Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., helps run these camps. There are plans to add camps for other health needs in the future.

Besides these, Camp Massanetta also welcomes sports teams. Varsity football teams come here to train. Marching bands also use the camp for their practice sessions.

Middle School Conference Fun

Since 1993, Massanetta Springs has hosted the Middle School Conferences. These are Christian summer events for students who have finished 6th, 7th, or 8th grade. Each summer, more than a thousand young people attend these four conferences. They come from youth groups all over the country.

Even though the conferences are designed for Presbyterian youth, anyone can join. It doesn't matter what church they belong to. The conferences include workshops led by youth pastors and leaders. These workshops help kids learn and grow. There are also lots of fun recreation and music events.

Massanetta Springs: A Historic Place

Massanetta Springs is also important for its history. In May 2005, the Massanetta Springs Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special place recognized for its history and importance.