Camp Meeting Culture in the US: An Eco-Friendly Lesson in Small-Scale Urban Planning

Camp Meeting Culture, a two century old Protestant tradition still practiced across the United States, offers fascinating insights into small-scale urban planning and community living. Some of these historical grounds are still in use today while others have blossomed into fully grown cities of their own.

When I was a young kid in the mid-90s, I travelled with my grandfather to his home state of North Carolina. During this month-long trip we spent a week in Methodist Camp Meeting at the Pleasant Grove Camp Meeting Ground, which has been used annually since 1830. I have very fond memories of my week there, full of tons of unstructured time to play with other kids; chasing blue-belly lizards, catching fireflies in the evening, and buying candy from the volunteer run camp store. Although, being a young kid, I wasn’t much of a fan of sitting still for the twice-daily hour-long services in the Arbor.

So what can we learn from this tradition for our small-scale urban planning in our secular communities?

At the heart of Camp Meeting culture lies the central gathering place, often featuring a covering or gazebo where religious services and community activities take place. The design emphasizes pedestrian access, as most of these grounds predate the automobile era. This eco-friendly approach also encourages members to enjoy fresh summer air and relaxation.

By positioning the cabins at a distance from the central point, a sense of community is fostered through the large central park square, while also preserving natural surroundings. Camp Meeting grounds are typically situated in serene locations, embraced the quiet beauty of nature, and have incorporated it into their urban planning. This emphasis on being surrounded by nature offers a valuable model for contemporary urban developments seeking to integrate green spaces throughout our communities for shade, quiet, clean air, enjoyment, and relaxation.

One of the core strengths of Camp Meeting culture is its emphasis on communal living and close-knit communities. Families lived together in the cabins surrounding the central gathering place, forging deep connections and shared experiences. This interdependence promoted a strong sense of belonging and social support among members.

Children, too, benefited from the communal environment. With unstructured time to play between religious services, they were free to explore and engage with nature, fostering creativity and a deeper connection with the outdoors. This stands in contrast to modern urban settings, where the lack of open spaces and supervised playtime can hinder a child's development.

Camp Meeting culture embraced a distinctive self-governed economic model. Paid work was generally discouraged within the grounds during camp meeting (usually one or two weeks in the summer), with the exception of cabin household duties and community volunteering (camp store, groundskeeping, etc). This created an atmosphere of reliance on one another, reinforcing the sense of community.

Additionally, members had the opportunity to buy their family cabins and improve them over the years, fostering a sense of ownership and investment in the community. This incremental improvement allowed for adaptive urban planning, wherein the needs of the residents were met and the space evolved organically over time.

Remarkably, some Camp Meeting grounds, where members owned the land, evolved into actual cities. This transformation demonstrates the resilience of these communities and their ability to adapt to changing times while preserving their core values. The transition from a small-scale community to a more extensive urban settlement showcases the effectiveness of their urban planning and governance.

The Camp Meeting culture in the US offers a treasure trove of lessons for modern urbanism. From its eco-friendly design and central gathering places to its strong sense of community and unique economic model, these grounds present an alternative model for sustainable living. As cities grapple with issues like overpopulation, environmental concerns, and social isolation, the principles of Camp Meetings hold relevance and inspiration for creating inclusive, harmonious, and environmentally-conscious urban spaces. By drawing on the wisdom of the past, we can shape a more connected and sustainable future for our cities.

Michael Moore is the Editor-in-Chief of Millennial American Dream, and has been featured in Streetsblog and Planetizen, you can follow him on Threads