It is our goal at Camp Selah to provide a camping experience that is not only exciting, but also encourages the camper towards positive relationships. We feel it is important that young people learn to treat each other with kindness and respect. The staff at Camp Selah desire to demonstrate God's love to the campers by providing a safe environment where they can make new friends, learn about Jesus Christ and have a great time.

Camp Selah was founded in 1948 by a number of local churches and individuals who felt their community needed a Christian camp for boys and girls. In August of that year Camp Selah was incorporated as a non-profit organization and purchased 250ft of lake frontage on Long Lake in Reading, MI. From its beginning Camp Selah's greatest asset has been the commitment of its many volunteers and faithful supporters. Camp Selah is overseen by a board of volunteers, some of whom have served in this capacity for more than 25 years.



In 1950, the first building was erected and the first summer camp was held. Tents were rented for boys and girls’ dormitories and a large tent was used for chapel services. Over the next six years a dining hall, chapel building and dormitories, for both the boys and girls, were completed.



Until 1982, Camp Selah was without any year round staff, leaving the maintenance and operation of the ministry to the volunteer board. By this time the demands of the growing ministry had out grown what could be maintained on a part time basis. In that year, the board called Duane Cross to serve as the year-round camp director. During his fourteen years as director, the ministry grew in many ways; with a year-round director Camp Selah was able to expand its property and make improvements to the facilities and the programs. The ministry began to grow beyond a camp that primarily served specific local churches to one that reached out to unsaved boys and girls of the entire tri-state area. It was also during these years that the essence of Camp Selah’s ministry was developed: a small, intimate, Christian atmosphere where kids could experience God’s love. By God’s grace, that essence remains today!



In 1996, God led Jeff Knoll to the directorship from Michindoh Camp and Conference Center. At that time, the opportunities for ministry were so great that Camp Selah had grown beyond what one man could manage. The forty-year-old facilities were showing their age and there was a huge strain to keep them up and also give the Lord's work its due. However, that spring the camp supporters were called on to help Camp Selah get ready for its summer ministry season. Over 50 people showed up to clean, paint and rebuild; that show of commitment and support for the ministry was the beginning of things to come. The camp experienced rapid growth in both its evangelistic camping ministries and its facilities in the years to follow. With the addition of Jim and Liz Knoll as part-time staff, the ministry was able to serve many churches and groups from Campus Crusade for Christ, Youth for Christ, Intervarsity. Also, the summer camping ministry doubled in attendancein less than four years and many young people came to know Christ.