The 50-acre tract of land is on the north shore of Occohannock Creek. A canoe trip reveals to the naturist the vibrancy of the marsh. The property includes woods, marsh, shallow tidal wetlands and deep water.

There are 10 cabins, a dining hall that can seat 200, Cokesbury Worship Center, Outdoor Chapel, boat facilities, beach, a ballfield and picnic pavilion. Crabbing and fishing can be enjoyed off the camp's dock.

Occohannock on the Bay became this Holy Ground in 1958. 50 acres of woodlands, open spaces, and waterfront purchased by the Eastern Shore District United Methodist Church, along the Occohannock and Tawes creeks. The first structure, the picnic shelter, was built in 1960, the rest is history. OOTB like most of the 450 United Methodist camps in the U.S., has become an ageing facility, requiring refurbishing, and improvements.

December 9, 1958      A deed was recorded for the purchase of the James A. Bane property by the Eastern Shore District of the United Methodist Church. The property consists of 50 acres and was purchased for $28,000.

       

January 10, 1959     Meeting of the first development group for Camp Occohannock.

       

June 1959     First Campers at Camp Occohannock

       

June 1960     Open House at which time there were two lodges and a picnic pavilion

       

1961     Construction of a shower house and two more lodges.

       

1962     Lynch building was built which serves as the main meeting area

       

1968     Some small boats purchased

       

1981-82     A Norfolk architect toured Camp Occohannock with representatives from camp and a long-range general plan for the camp was developed.

       

1982     The District Conference passed a resolution effective 1984 that the District would go forth on faith to raise a minimum of $3.00 per member for each year of a three year period for the development of Camp Occohannock.

       

1988     4 new cabins were built surrounding a new bath house.

       

1989     Occohannock on the Bay owed Crestar Bank $180,000. A five year fundraising campaign was started which resulted in raising over $200K for the camp.

       

April 1994     A note-burning ceremony was held at the camp to celebrate the retirement of our camp indebtedness with Crestar Bank

       

January 1996     "A Vision Shared", the Long-Range Plan concept, was endorsed by the Occohannock on the Bay General Board and the District Conference. Since that time, plans for the Cokesbury Worship Center have been drawn up and presented. There are other projects to be considered as part of Phase I of the Long-Range Plan.

       

1999     Four addtional cabins were built by volunteer mission teams from Eastern Shore District churches; Epworth UMC, Painter Garrison UMC and Franktown UMC, Christ/Charity UMC from the Norfolk District.and youth from the Portsmouth District.

       

2002     A screen porch and modern handicapped accessible rest rooms were added to the Lynch Building (Dining Hall).

       

2004     A children's playground was added by Matthew Tyson, Troop 313, as part of his fullfillment as an Eagle Scout.

       

2005    



An Archery Range was build by Michael Evans, Troop 313, as part of his fullfillment as an Eagle Scout.



A 24'x24' boat shed was built by Portsmouth District Youth Mission Team

       

2006     The boat shed was partially closed in, and the Salt Box (boating gear shed) was attached and doubled in size to 8'x24'

       

2007    



A Whale Watch was added to the Low Ropes courses by Will Deuter, Troop 300, as part of his fulfillment as an Eagle Scout



A 30 foot Rock Climbing Wall was added to the Ropes Course; making this our first High Ropes Element. The wall was built by Will Typson, Troop 313, as part of his fullfilment as an Eagle Scout



A 225 foot dock replacement was completed; extending an additional 45 foot channel-ward.



"The Annex" (converted garage attached to the camp director's residence) was adopted by Main Street UMC, UMM, Sufolk, VA. Renovations included replacement windows, painting, new trim, and tile floor. It is now know as "The Prayer Chapel".



Craddockville UMC, UMM, adopted cabin 3, to care for it's maintenance needs and the electric bill.

       

2008     The UMM of Christ UMC, Norfolk District adopted cabin 6 which was built and funded by Christ UMC and Charity UMC of Nofolk District in 1999.