Camp Findley has its roots with the United Brethren in Christ denomination (later the Evangelical United Brethren) in the former Erie Conference. This denomination established a school for future ministers called the Sugar Grove Seminary and Conservatory in 1884, located in Sugar Grove, PA. In about 1914, this school was discontinued.  However, the funds from the school and the sale of the building were put into an endowment fund to be used for educational purposes. This fund, called the Sugar Grove Trust Fund was active until 1971.  It provided student loans and scholarships, as well as funding the annual Bible Conference and Leadership Training School.

Until about 1927, these events were held in various churches in Western Pennsylvania.  From 1927 through 1935, these events were held at the Findley Lake church and surrounding buildings.  In February 1936, a vote was taken to purchase property for these meetings and the Gallup Farm was purchased in April 1936.

The farm had a dance hall as well as the usual barn and house.  The barn was revised and became the former Tabernacle.  The dance hall was converted to a dining hall.  The old lake house was used as a dormitory.  Most of the work to convert the farm was done by volunteer labor.

The first Bible Conference was held at the new location in July 1936 in conjunction with a Young People’s Convention and a Leadership Training School.

In 1946, the old Lake House was torn down and replaced by the present day Showers Hall, named in honor of Rev. Dr. R.S. Showers.  Todd Hall was built in 1938, named after Rev. William Todd.  Carsonville Chapel was formerly a church a few miles away in Pleasantville, PA.  In 1952, the church was dismantled, and reconstructed at Camp Findley.  It served as a Historical Building for records storage for the Western Pennsylvania Conference until the merger that created the United Methodist Church in 1968.  Goodwill Lodge is the old Goodwill Church near Grand Valley.  It was rebuilt as a dormitory in 1944 at the camp.

In 1952, volunteers tore down the old dance hall/dining hall and a new building was constructed.  It was named after Dr. S. Paul Weaver, superintendent of the Erie Conference from 1934 to 1955.  Gregory Lodge was completed in 1962 to replace the old Boy’s dormitory.  The fireplace from the old youth center was included as part of this building, and named after Bishop and Mrs. D.T. Gregory.

 In 1971, in keeping with the Plan and Basis for Union between the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren, Camp Findley went to the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church.  In 1974, the Western Pennsylvania Conference sold the property to the Western New York Conference for $5,000.  At that time, programming responsibilities were taken over by the Conference with increased youth summer camping.  An important part of history is maintained by the Annual Bible Conference which had beginnings in the Sugar Grove Seminary.

Over the years, old buildings have been removed, new facilities constructed, and program altered to fit the changing needs of the Christian people of the areas served.

The Camp Findley Board of Directors is building upon our rich past and moving forward with a new future. Our goals continue to be: Discipleship, Evangelism, Worship, and Fellowship.