As early as 1960 Indiana Southern Baptists operated camps by renting property for their events, always at the mercy of other organizations' calendars.  Mrs. E. Harmon Moore's kitchen table provided space to develop a menu for the entie week of camp utilizing her recipe file.

In 1966 the state convention began purchasing land in Morgan County, eventually acquiring 396 acres of virgin timberland with an old pole barn to be utilized as a meeting place.  By 1967 SCBI offered four weeks of Royal Ambassador camps, utilizing "war asset" tents and electric ranges.  With 135 boys in attendance, 15 of them made professions of faith.  In more recent years the ministries offered through camping at Highland lakes range from Mission Adventure Camp to JAM Camp (Jesus, Arts, and Music).  Today typically about 200 people make  first time commitments to Christ each year. 

A 1970 Camp Development Committee report provided the Philosophy, Objectives, Methodology, and Program for Camping, Retreat and Assembly Work.  This product of three years of study envisioned facilities for 300-500 people, winterized facilities for 150 to 200, areas for sleeping, and eating, meeting rooms, kitchen and fellowship area, cabins, and primitive campsites.  In 1985 SCBI enlisted volunteer construction teams to build needed facilities at the camp, procuring materials from the sale of timber. 

Tom Woods directed Camp Development as well as Brotherhood from 1973 to 1986, with Reathel Miller serving as camp manager until 1990.  Don Hamlin assumed the duties of camp director in 1990, continuing through 1997, followed by Bobby Copeland who served until 2003, assisted by Mission Service Corps (MSC) volunteers Toy and Betty Speck.  Brian Christy was named camp manager in 2003, with Jan Walters serving as a MSC volunteer beginning in 2000. 

New buildings allow 250 guests to stay for overnight events.  Many of the capital improvements were funded through a special offering for Highland Lakes begun in 1993.  An olympic-sized pool was opened in 1991 and an Adopt-a-Cabin program involved many churches in renovating facilities in 1992.  Volunteers completed motel rooms in 1997 at a cost of $83, 863, far lower than the projected $205,000.  Later a second story wall added in 1998 enclosed the offices with the new camp manager, Bobby Copeland, praising the assistance of Campers on Missions whose efforts provided a significant savings to SCBI.  Calling them "one of the premier missions groups in Indiana,"  he added, "Their spirit and attitude are a joy to work with." 

Hoosier Baptists finally had an answer in 2001 when asked, "Where is the lake?"  The Camp Committee planned for a lake to be built and named "Brock Lake" in honor of longtime Indiana pastor Clarence Brock.  The next camp facility to be built will honor E. Harmon Moore and Betsy Moore for 22 years of service. *

Today the camp is comprised of over 400 acres of woodland hills, creeks, and meadows.  Campers on Mission continues to provide much needed volunteer labor.  Summer missionaries from around the country give a youthful boost during those months when the camp is most busy.  God continues to use this place of rest to draw new believers to Himself, and to encourage Christians in their walk with Him. 

* information from The State Convention of Baptists in Indiana 50th Anniversary book