Church camp in Jonesborough, Tenn., closing after flood

JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. - The board of church-affiliated Buffalo Mountain Camp has decided to close because of severe flood damage.

Flash flooding on Aug. 5, 2012, destroyed or heavily damaged the camp's lodge, bathhouse, five of its cabins, the office and a lower trail.

The Johnson City Press eported the directors of the United Methodist Church-affiliated camp announced the camp will close all operations on Jan. 1, 2014. A letter posted on the camp's website said it would remain closed until a new operation plan is designed, developed and funded.

The camp is operated under the auspices of the Holston Annual Conference of the church.

A scaled-down program was offered this summer, but Randy Pasqua, director of the camping and retreat ministry for the conference, said the plan did not prove attractive and a regular camping -program was not conducted.

Pasqua said the conference wasn't abandoning the camp, but would seek ways to make it viable again.

The camp was one of many areas hit by severe flooding last year. Numerous houses along Dry Creek in Washington County were destroyed and businesses were flooded in downtown Johnson City.

The board plans to use a consulting firm to evaluatea new business model, conduct a market-research analysis and conduct a fund-development assessment.

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