Camp Founders
O.A. and Charlotte Fish
Captain O.A. Fish and his wife Charlotte are the founders of South Mountain Christian Camp. O.A. was an Eastern Airlines pilot. He served as the camp's CEO and president of the Board of Directors. O.A. passed away in May 2022, but his legacy lives on through his family and the Camp. He wrote an autobiographical book, Fingerprints of God, which is available here.
Charlotte Fish is the Camp Ambassador and also serves on the Board of Directors. She continues to volunteer for the Camp and leads a women's Bible study every week. Charlotte is available for speaking engagements. She can be contacted through the Camp.
Facilities Map
Points of Interest
1. Administration Building/Camp Offices
2. Picnic Shelter/Playground/Bathhouse
3. Glory Land Cabin
4. Ballfields
5. Joy Center
6. Observation Deck
7. Jericho Cabin Site
8. Fishing Pond
9. Engedi Cabin Site
10. Pritchard Lodge
11. Elli Will Lodge
12. Ropes Course
13. Dewey Fern Lodge/Greenway Building
14. Cafeteria
15. Swimming Pool/Volleyball Court
16. Lake Galilee
17. Prayer Garden
18. Golf Driving Range
19. Staff Housing/Private Residence
20. Maintenance Area
Download Printable Map
Camp History
In the late 1960's, O.A. Fish, an Eastern Airlines pilot, and his wife Charlotte purchased an 80-acre tract of land in western North Carolina planning to retire there someday. Shortly after making the purchase, God began to impress upon their hearts that they should use that land to build a youth camp. Inspired by the words of Jesus in Luke 18:16, O.A. and Charlotte established South Mountain Christian Camp and held the first weekend camps in 1974.
A few tents set up on a hillside soon developed into the construction of tent platforms. Later, these were replaced with screened-in cabins, suitable for operating week-long camps. Today, these cabins have been closed in, heated, and air-conditioned to provide for year-round use. The Glory Land Cabin is a different type of cabin designed for personal retreats with God. Additionally, duplex-style lodges have been constructed in recent years to bring the total sleeping capacity to 180.
By God's grace and provision, South Mountain Christian Camp has been able to operate completely debt-free since it's inception so many years ago. If you would like to find out more about the development and ministry of the Camp, you can order a free copy of Fingerprints of God by Camp Founder O.A. Fish and Footsteps of Faith, by Executive Director Steve Collins at this link.
In the late 1960's, O.A. Fish, an Eastern Airlines pilot, and his wife Charlotte purchased an 80-acre tract of land in western North Carolina planning to retire there someday. Shortly after making the purchase, God began to impress upon their hearts that they should use that land to build a youth camp. Inspired by the words of Jesus in Luke 18:16, O.A. and Charlotte established South Mountain Christian Camp and held the first weekend camps in 1974.
Our Mission
Purpose
When a person is enthusiastic, interested, and searching for answers, he is at the pinnacle of his teaching moments. We firmly believe, and many educators agree, that these rare moments can be readily achieved during camping experiences.
Philosophy
In the scriptures, we find that when Jesus wanted to impart great truths to his cabin group (The Twelve Disciples), He would always take them aside. Usually, He would take them into a garden, up a mountain, or on a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. The Old Testament tells how God told Moses to instruct the Children of Israel to hold a feast, known as the “Feast of Booths,” once a year. This feast was to be a meaningful time of remembering their past, worshipping God, and learning the Scripture.
Mission
It is our aim at South Mountain Christian Camp to fully utilize this effective, Bible-centered ministry to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. Through well-planned programming, teaching, sharing in fellowship, and healthy physical activities, we hope to help campers respond in faith to the call of God on their lives and then nurture their faith and fellowship in Christ Jesus so that they may mature into responsible citizens of God’s Kingdom.
Our Organization
South Mountain Christian Camp is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Board of Directors
Matthew Kramer, D.O. - President
Don Alexander - Vice President
Cheryl Whiteside - Secretary
Donnie Haulk - Treasurer
Charlotte Fish - Member
South Mountain Christian Camp has earned the GuideStar Gold Seal of Transparency.