I'll guide you to amazing places

"Why is this place called Camp Montgomery?" asked a day camper after we talked about the components of fire building and made our s'mores.

"Because Dr. Montgomery loved nature, loved kids, and loved to share God's love with people," Rebekah replied. "Camp was the place he could combine all of those loves, and he did it for 75 years all over North Florida."

Dr. E.F. Montgomery Sr's legacy extends beyond the boundary lines of Montgomery Center. Camp Montgomery was established in 1957, but Dr. Mont's camping ministry began long before, in 1916. As the boy scout leader in McIntosh, he took his boys on many camping trips. He then began taking the youth from his churches to camp. His 75 years of camp ministry included work at O'Leno, Camp Osceola on the Suwannee, Immokalee, and more.

Dr. Mont was a third-generation presbyterian, born in 1874. A graduate of Princeton Seminary, his first parish was that of McIntosh, Micanopy, and Fairfield. He was ordained at McIntosh Presbyterian in 1916, came back from World War I to serve Westminster (Jax), married at South Jacksonville Presbyterian in 1929, and was the pastor of Lake City Presbyterian for 40 years.  

Dr. Mont loved his time outdoors, and gained energy from teaching young people about God's creation. It is a joy and privilege to carry on this tradition with the next generation under the oaks.