Restore Camp Budsin Project

About the Restore Camp Budsin Project

     The Restore Camp Budsin Project is aimed at the restoration and relocation of the historic Camp Budsin Tabernacle, which was damaged by fire in November of 2012.
    Camp Budsin was one of only two tabernacles in the state of Wisconsin, a tabernacle being a place of temporary worship. Built in 1943, the Camp Budsin Tabernacle was located on highway 22 between Wautoma and Montello and originally served as a camp meeting site, where circuit riders would visit for week long revivals. Over the years, Camp Budsin became the host of many music concerts and inspirational speakers, during its summer season.
    Following the fire in 2012, the Neshkoro Camp Meeting Association, which is in charge of Camp Budsin, decided not to rebuild the tabernacle in its original location. The Association, working with the Clauson Family, decided to move the building, sell the property and renew and restore Camp Budsin at a new location, the Clauson Farm. This project is particularly important to the Clauson's as Cheryl Clauson's great-grandfather and uncle were involved in the original building of the Tabernacle. The decision not to rebuild Camp Budsin at its original location and instead relocate it, was made due to dwindling attendance and the remote, unprotected location. At its new location, Camp Budsin will be visited by tour groups from throughout the US, it will be more closely monitored and it will once again be the host of great music concerts and speakers. It is the hopes of the Restore Camp Budsin Project that the Neshkoro Camp Meeting Association will remain in charge of the Camp Budsin building at its new location. Some members of the Association have expressed interest in retiring from the board and these open positions will be filled with new members, excited for the future of this project.
    In order for Camp Budsin to operate as it always has, just at its new location, a proposal was made by the Neshkoro Camp Meeting Association and approved by the United Methodist district conference. Because of its affiliation with the United Methodist Church, securing this approval was necessary to continue with the Restore Camp Budsin Project.
    Throughout the winter and early spring of 2013, the remains of the Camp Budsin Tabernacle were taken down and removed from the original site. Most of the lumber from the building was too severely damaged and will need to be replaced rather than reused, with the exception of some screen doors, windows and side walls. The local fire departments deserve to be commended for how they extinguised the fire. While most of the lumber is not reusable, because of the fire department's great job, it still will be able to be used as patterns for the new building.
    In order for Camp Budsin to once again be open to the public, it will need to meet all of the commercial building requirements of today. Working with an architect, plans for the new Tabernacle have been drawn up, these plans will need to be submitted to the state and approved. Permits will then need to be purchased and as construction progresses, a series of commercial building inspections will be made. At this time, approval has been granted for the foundation work to begin. Some excavation began in the fall and will resume as soon as the frost clears this spring.
    There will be great expense incurred in order to restore this historic Tabernacle. Future concerts and events presented by the Restore Camp Budsin Project will work towards raising the necessary funds. All additional donations are greatly appreciated and will help to insure that the Camp Budsin Tabernacle will be able to be enjoyed by future generations. Those wishing to donate additional money to the project can do so through the account that is established at National Exchange Bank in Coloma, all donations are tax-deductible. In addition to financial contributions, this project will also require volunteer support. More information on work days and upcoming projects will be posted on this site.
    Preserving the rich history of the Taberncale and recreating it so that it can be enjoyed by future generations is the aim of the Restore Camp Budsin Project. This project has seen a great outpouring of support from the community, from those who too view Camp Budsin as a piece of history that should not be lost.
    Through your continued support, the community will once again be able to enjoy all that this Tabernacle has to offer, whether it is an evening of music, an inspirational word, fellowship with family and friends or memories of those who visited before, the Camp Budsin Tabernacle will continue to serve God and the community for generations to come.