Riverside Camp is the Atlantic District's summer camp for Maine and western New Brunswick. Riverside is located in Blaine, Maine - roughly half way between Houlton and Presque Isle; or just across the border from Centreville, New Brunswick.

This year, during our Family Camp week (August 1-8) we are pleased to have as our main evangelist, Rev. Anthony Graham. Rev Graham serves as Pastor of the East New York Wesleyan Church in New York City. This church was planted twelve years ago and was started with twelve members. It now has a weekly average attendance of over 430 and has a strong Sunday School ministry as well. Rev. Graham is well regarded as a dynamic speaker and a great teacher of spiritual truths. Rev. Rick Kavanaugh, of the Presque Isle Wesleyan Church, will also be speaking during the week.

There will be a number of special musical guests throughout the camp-meeting. Some of the ones to highlight include the following: On Sunday, August 1, we are featuring 'Golden Harmony', a gospel trio from St. John, who were recently selected as the New Brunswick Gospel Music Hall of Fame's New Artist of the Year for 2003. Later that evening, the Houlton Wesleyan Church Choir will be presenting a mini-concert.

On Monday, August 2, we are pleased to have The Greenes at Riverside. This Southern Gospel Trio remains one of the most popular trios in this musical genre. They are from North Carolina, and regularly appear on the Gaither Homecoming Videos. Among their many accomplishments include 20+ Top 40 songs and 5 #1 hits. Despite their widespread popularity, they continue to keep their focus on lifting up the Lord.

Diane Muise will be our special guest on Wednesday and Thursday. She is from southern Maine and has won numerous awards for her singing and songwriting abilities. She is involved in concert ministry 150-200 times throughout the year.

On Sunday, August 8, The Campbells - New England's First Family of Gospel, will be presenting a concert in the afternoon. This trio is highly regarded and has performed with many popular groups. In fact, this year, they are a part of the lineup for Karen Peck and New River's Homecoming. The Campbells will bring a high energy, yet worshipful experience to the campmeeting. In our closing service that evening, the Kinney Trio from Maine will be in concert.

In addition to the Family Camp, Riverside offers 4 weeks of children's and teens camps. Beginning after Beulah Camp week, there are two weeks of kids camps, where 80-100 children will take part in the Christian camping experience. The next two weeks are for the Junior and Senior high campers. During this time, 90-110 young people call Riverside their camping destination. Quality personnel and staff help to make the experience of the campers 2nd to none. Riverside is consistently noted for having a strong spiritual focus - as well as fun and fellowship.

2004 will be the camp's 102nd year of ministry. There had been a previous camp on the grounds prior to this, but in 1902, the grounds were deeded to the Reformed Baptist Church (now Wesleyan). Riverside Camp currently has about ten acres. When the Railroad used to go by the Campgrounds, a railroad station was built at the bottom of the hillside. Special excursions were run during Camp meeting time due to the large crowds attending. At one time, it was the custom to charge 'ten cents' at the entrance of the road, and as many as 5,000 people would arrive on a Sunday! The services began with "Early Morning Prayer", "Morning Love Feasts", "Morning Service", "Children's Meetings at l:00", "Young People's at 4:00", "Afternoon Service", and "Evening Service", and on Sundays the "Open Air Meetings".

The following is an excerpt from The King's Highway - 1919 - "The people of all Christian denominations for miles around look forward to the 'Riverside Camp Meetings' as the great religious event of the year, and we believe it stimulates the spiritual activities of all the Churches of the whole region of the country... A considerable number of people bring their tents."

The first Tabernacle at Riverside was built in the early l900's. It had eight sides, an oval roof, and a cubicle on top. It was very similar to the Tabernacle at Beulah, only Riverside's was 10 feet wider.

Riverside has been effectively used to reach people in the area for many years. A large number of people have been spiritually refreshed and impacted through the ministry of this place.

The camp-meeting for 2004 holds much promise in continuing the great tradition of God's visitation to His people. Be in prayer for what God has in store for the camp this summer. And visit our website at www.atlanticdistrict.com/riverside.