From the time the acorn fell on the ground to sprout a mighty oak in the mid-1800’s to the donation of land to start the camp in 1957, Camp Fontanelle has a rich history of serving God and the community. Camp Fontanelle has always been “A Place To Grow With God In Any Season.”
Facilities and Early History
1846 – Split Oak with the chain by the pool sprouted
1957 – Hartung Family offered about 181 acres to Camp Fontanelle
1958 – Work camps conducted to build the camp
1959 – Health Lodge & Bathhouse by the pool was constructed
1960 – Bottom 1/2 of Riverview Lodge and Director’s House were built. Director’s house was made out of recycled lumber from Cedar Bluffs Methodist Church
1959-1963 – A-frames were built
1967 – Top 1/2 of Riverview Lodge completed
1976 – September 17, Hartung Pioneer Cemetery was sign over to Camp Fontanelle for perpetual care
1977 – Dam was installed to prevent erosion to the south
1979 – Original 20 ft. x 40 ft. pool installed
1991 – Telabasta Church Bell was accepted
1992 – Machine Shed
1997 – 16 ft. x 20 ft. Craft Cabin
2001 – Health Lodge remodeled/added on and renamed Deere Lodge
2001 – 16 acre corn maze field on SE corner
2006 – Remodeled/extended A-frames 2A & 2B
2007 – Purchased 9.15 Rahfeldt Ranch
2007 – Remodeled Petting Barn & Built Stage to the north
2007 – Remodeled Pool Showerhouse
2007 – Built Corn Maze ticket booth and concession stand
2009 – Remodeled/extended A-frames 3A & 3B
2009 – Expanded basement at 9320 County Road 3 Program Director’s House
2010 – 5 RV Pads with full service completed
2010 – Anchored walls in Director’s house (25 yr. warranty – BDB Waterproofing, Elkhorn)
2011 – Added terraces to corn maze field
2012 – Remodeled Riverview Lodge Restrooms
2012 – Storm Shelter/Restrooms completed
2013 – New 30 ft. x 60 ft. pool completed
2014 – 7:24 Shelter completed
2023 – Olson Lodge; 80 bed, meeting and office space dedicated
Program History
1959 – 1st Barbecue
1977 – Sand Volleyball court dug
1979 – Basketball court poured
1998 – Moved from decentralized camping to centralized camping model hiring program assistants
2002 – First Low Ropes Elements constructed, moved in 2005 and again in 2013
2004 – Sledding hill cleared
2005 – Pumpkin patch 1st year
2005 – Easter Family Fun Day inception
2005 – Recreational tree climbing & Treeboats added
2005 – Added 120 ft. Pond liner PVC Water slides
2006 – American Camp Associated accredited for 1st time and ever since
2007 – Free outdoor movie nights started
2007 – Public pumpkin patch & corn maze started
2007 – Petting barn with animals opened
2007 – Amphitheater, Survivor Site, and Secret Meadow worship sites constructed
2007 – Gazebo donated by Barb Bredthauer
2008 – Outdoor laser taggers purchased
2008 – 1st Inflatable bounce house purchased
2009 – Gaga Ball began
2010 – Installed retaining wall & water tanks for water slide
2010 – Pony rides added
2010 – Annual 5K Wilderness Race/1 Mile Walk began
2011 – Jumping Pillow installed
2011 – 40 ft. x 80 ft. tent purchased
2011 – Christmas Tree Hill Worship Site constructed by F.R.O.G. & F.R.O.G.G.E.D camps
2012 – Garden Project – added 30 ft. x 30 ft. garden & planted 30 fruit trees
2012 – 2nd Inflatable Bounce House Purchased
2013 – 9 Square in the Air added
2013 – New 30 ft. x 60 ft. pool
2013 – Two 350 ft. long zip lines built
2014 – Moleball court added
2014 – Big Chess board by petting barn built
2015 – 2nd Jumping Pillow installed
2015 – 44′ x 52′ Fort Jones constructed
2015 – 20′ x 32′ Human Foosball Court installed
2016 – Mineshaft completed
2022 – Rockwall Added