Cowboy Camp Meeting: A Lasting Legacy and the End of an Era

By Eric Brown

UCC Ministerial Director

After 36 years of trail dust, gospel music and great fun a Fourth of July tradition in the Northwest is coming to an end.

Cowboy Camp Meeting started out along the Tucannon River near Dayton, Wash., in the summer of 1984. The Blue Mountain Chapter of the newly formed Adventist Horseman’s Association wanted to bring their love of horse camping and their love for Jesus together in one joyful celebration. 

“What began as a weekend camping trip with a few families quickly grew in popularity and the Adventist Horseman’s Association soon adopted the event as an annual meeting for all its chapters,” said Charles Brown, founding member and current chaplain of the AHA. A weekend get-together soon grew into a 5-day Fourth of July celebration with as many as 250 people and 150 horses and mules in attendance. 

As the event grew, the AHA sought out new locations to camp. Sites as far south as Prineville, Ore., in the north near Omak, Wash., to the east in Stanley, Idaho, or as far west as Mt Adams, Wash., each became home base for the festivities. The big tent would go up, sound set up, portable toilets in place and the rigs would begin to pour in. Horses, dogs, mules and sometimes even an exotic animal or two would all unload and get ready for a week of trail riding, storytelling and worship.

“Each morning we would open with gospel music, stories for the kids and Christ-centered preaching to start the day,” explains Brown. The remainder of the day would be filled with trail rides, mounted games, hiking and a lot of good old-fashioned relaxation in the beauty of God’s creation. Over time several traditions developed like the children’s Fourth of July parade with decorated horses, patriotic dogs and enthusiastic spectators. 

“Worship on Sabbath in the mountains was always special and the amount of food that would be produced for potluck was a constant source of amazement,” said Brown. “The sun would set, and the lights would come on for the annual auction followed by stories and songs around the campfire late into the night.”

Word of Cowboy Camp Meeting began to spread. People from as far away as Colorado and California began to make Cowboy Camp Meeting an annual tradition. Similar events began to spring up in British Columbia, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas, all attracting people with a common love of horses and the outdoors, but there was always a bigger purpose in mind for the AHA.

Founded in 1984, The Adventist Horseman’s Association grew from the seed of an idea by Charles Brown and some friends that their love for horses and the outdoors could be more than just a hobby—it could become a connection point where people with the same passions could also meet Jesus Christ. Faith in God was never a pre-requisite to join but was an ever-present part of local chapter meetings. At the annual Cowboy Camp Meeting pastors, evangelists and lay people were invited from across North America to proclaim the gospel. As a result, hundreds have committed their lives to Christ and more than 20 new Christians have been baptized in streams, lakes, ponds and even the stock tank in the North Pacific Union Conference alone.

“The Wise Man of Ecclesiastes pointed out that there is a season for everything under heaven and that has proven true for the Adventist Horseman’s Association,” said Brown. As the cost of owning horses increased and lives became busier, attendance at Cowboy Camp Meeting had begun to wane in recent years. Forced cancellations from COVID in 2020 and excessive heat in 2021 spelled the end of an era. On January 6, 2022, the board of the Adventist Horseman’s Association voted to end the Cowboy Camp Meeting and disband the AHA for good. 

“While it is hard to see such a wonderful experience end, we can celebrate all the lives transformed by its ministry through the years,” said Greg Middlestetter, current AHA board member.

Even as the AHA closes its ministry, blessings continue to flow. Assets such as a large meeting tent, PA equipment and other gear will be donated to the Upper Columbia Conference youth department to bless their ministries going forward. Remaining cash assets will be donated to the Upper Columbia Academy and Milo Academy horsemanship programs to help grow a future generation of riders.

There’s one last event yet to come for the AHA. All are invited to the final AHA Round-up on May 22 at the Hermiston Oregon Seventh-day Adventist Church fellowship hall. Come enjoy: 

• Gospel music from the Jenks and Coleman families, Hand Picked, Randy Pierce and others

• Lots of pictures and memories from 34 years of Cowboy Camp Meeting

• Honoring those who have led out in this amazing ministry through the years

• Special stories for kids

• And, of course, great food

Registration will open at 10:30 a.m. Everyone from long-time AHA friends to those with a brand-new interest are welcome.