Carey’s Camp: A spiritual tradition
Going to Carey’s Camp is like taking a step back in time. Since 1888, people have been gathering under a grove of large oak trees each summer for 12 days with a single mission: spreading the word of Jesus Christ.
Carey’s Camp, located west of Millsboro adjacent to Carey’s United Methodist Church, was established 132 years ago by the Methodist Church as a camp meeting location.
It’s one of only two remaining in the state, and the only one where people have cottages. Bethel Camp near Gumboro has outdoor services in late August.
The camp consists of 47 wooden cabins, known as tents, surrounding a large, open-air tabernacle where services take place each night. Many families who have owned the cabins for years relocate to the camp to stay. Others live in RVs and campers. The cabins are designed with a large open porch to allow access to the spacious public area around the tabernacle. Sleeping quarters are located on the second floor.
Vacation Bible School for youngsters has become a popular offering at the camp.
During the first few years, meetings, or revivals, were called bush or basket meetings with camp-goers staying in temporary shelters and tents. The first cottages were built more than a century ago.
Dale Dukes, who has served as worship leader for the past decade, said ownership of the tents is passed down through the generations. “There is a long waiting list for them,” he said. “Very seldom is one available.”
Cabin owners pay the Carey's Camp committee an annual rental fee of $100 to cover maintenance and electricity costs. Life in the cabins is rustic because they don't have running water or bathrooms; both are provided on the campgrounds.
Dukes said it's also rare that major renovations are made to the cabins. One was rebuilt recently, after plans were approved by the committee, which had to match specific dimensions – 14 feet wide, 28 feet long with two stories.
Dukes, owner of Dukes Lumber Co. near Laurel, has been attending camp since he was 5 years old.
Read a history of the camp at npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/73000557_text.
