By unanimous vote, the Mariposa County Supervisors approved on Nov. 6 the redevelopment of Camp Wawona, ending a 16-year process and allowing the survival of the conference-owned camp located in Yosemite National Park.
“You have been outstanding partners and it is a pleasure to see the camp continue for many, many years,” said Supervisor Bob Pickard after the vote. “Your patience should be heralded.” Supervisor Janet Bibby, chair of the governing body, agreed and praised the Central California Conference and the Mariposa County staff for their commitment and diligence.
“I am truly thankful for the well-placed divine interventions,” says Michelle Coats, land use consultant for the conference. An integral part of the leadership team for the 16-year process, she adds, “We saw God’s hand through it all.”
“As conference leaders, we see this as so much more,” says President Jerry Page. “We believe a redeveloped camp for soul-saving and life-saving ministries is God’s vision that, in time, we were led into step by step.”
A Non-Conforming Use
The long, winding journey began in 1987 when the National Park Service and Mariposa County agreed on a new zoning plan, the Wawona Specific Plan. The plan did not allow for a church camp, designating Camp Wawona a non-conforming use.
Camp Wawona would cease to exist by 2037 unless the zoning plan was amended. In the meantime, no permits for essential facility improvements could be issued.
The 35-acre, camp was established in 1929 for a year-round, two-fold purpose: as a summer camp and as a church and family retreat and training center. Coats Consulting, land use specialists, were hired in 1991 to help ensure this priceless treasure continue.
It Gets Complicated
To amend the Wawona Specific Plan to include “church camp” as a conforming use, both the National Park Service (NPS) and Mariposa County had to agree. The NPS supervisor offered a land swap as a condition: 18 acres at the top of the camp’s property for 15 acres of NPS land along the entrance road. In good faith, conference administrators signed a memo of understanding with the NPS.
Mariposa County officials required a conceptual master plan. The conference hired Architect David Lee, experienced in church camp development and building in a national park. After focus groups with members, the conceptual master plan was designed. Camp neighbors and Wawona community members also had input on such features as the exterior look and the building sizes.
Fast forward a few years to a new park supervisor, a devastating flood and other obstacles. Park leaders and Mariposa County officials agreed to support the conference’s request to rebuild on its own land instead of pursuing a land swap. Lee and his team designed a new conceptual plan for the camp’s existing 35-acres.
A Miraculous Journey
“We give God all the glory for this unanimous outcome,” Page says. “Through every frustration, every obstacle, hundreds of our members, joined by other precious Christian brothers and sisters, were bathing this project in prayer. We’ve seen God’s hand intervene over and over. Even our consultants and government officials have commented on seemingly impossible happenings and perfect timings.”
After years of hard work, public hearings began in November 2006. The plan had to be approved by three entities: the Wawona Township Planning Advisory Council (with the Wawona Property Owners Association) and the Mariposa County Planning Commission—both with majority votes, and the Mariposa County Supervisors, who unanimously approved the rezoning and the redevelopment of Camp Wawona.
“We continue to be amazed by this journey,” Page says. “Much like Nehemiah’s experience with rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, God is leading us into this wonderful vision to rebuild a broken-down church facility through many, surprising avenues.”
