Brighton is the First Girls Camp, established in 1921, for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Painting of the grand old lodge.
Can you imagine living in Utah without any air conditioning during the summer? Can you imagine driving up steep dirt and rock filled canyon roads? Can you imagine a summer without Girls Camp in the Brighton Mountains? In 1911, the General Young Women Presidency decided there ought to be a summer camp for girls to get away from the summer heat and to provide a retreat. In 1918, a search was made for the perfect spot in which a summer home could be made. As the search committee scrambled up Brighton’s rough terrain and found the sunny, flower-filled, pine-fringed dell overlooking the mountain valley, they echoed Brigham Young "This is the place”! They felt they were in ‘God’s garden.’ As you attend Brighton, you will discover that it is the place and it will always be your summer home.
The first Grand Lodge was situated behind the granite boulders now called “The Rock” overlooking the mountain valley. It was built in the field that is now the lawn and ampitheater. It was a three-story building built of huge pine logs and not easily accessible to the public. Although the first campers had come up in 1921, the grand opening celebration was held August 18, 1922 with dancing, sports, contests, hikes and refreshments. President Heber J. Grant sang the first verse of "Come, Come Ye Saints" and expressed satisfaction with the work done to buld the summer home for the girls in the tops of the mountains for their entertainment and pleasure.
Brighton Camp has operated continuously since 1921. Camper attendance has been around 76,000 and there have been around 2,000 staff members hired. Staff members are paid, however, they are set apart as a church calling before the summer begins. Over the years there have been changes. The growth of the stakes in the Salt Lake Valley required registration to be limited for Beehives. However, the biggest change occurred in January 1963, when the grand old Lodge burned to the ground. Despite this heartbreak, camp continued. Through all the changes, the sweet spirit of this place has continued. Campers have forever remembered the names of their counselors, just as you will.
Before Brighton LDS Camp existed, the early Saints visited Brighton in the summer to escape the scorching heat. In 1856, President Jedediah M. Grant of the First Presidency offered a Dedicatory Prayer at Brighton. The following are excerpts from this prayer:
“Our Father and Our God, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow before Thee, and thank Thee that we have the privilege of coming to the tops of these mountains to worship Thee, our God, and to celebrate the liberty of Thy people, and their entrance into these peaceful valleys and mountains. We thank Thee for these mountains, for the fountains of water that flow from them, for the timber that grows upon them, and for all blessings that Thou hast vouchsafed to Thy people in this land…and we consecrate and dedicate it to Thee for the benefit of Thy people, for their happiness, that they may rest here and be safe. Bless all the elements that are there; may the rocks and the mountains be blessed, and everything that has a life.”
You are part of Brighton’s continuing history. You can grow and develop spiritually. You can reach across to others in kindness and acceptance. As we celebrate 90 years, we hope you will continue to make this a place where all may rest and be safe and feel Heavenly Father’s Spirit. Truly, the best it yet to come!
Information for this history is taken from the Brighton Camp History, published in 1989.
The first Grand Lodge was situated behind the granite boulders now called “The Rock” overlooking the mountain valley. It was built in the field that is now the lawn and ampitheater. It was a three-story building built of huge pine logs and not easily accessible to the public. Although the first campers had come up in 1921, the grand opening celebration was held August 18, 1922 with dancing, sports, contests, hikes and refreshments. President Heber J. Grant sang the first verse of "Come, Come Ye Saints" and expressed satisfaction with the work done to buld the summer home for the girls in the tops of the mountains for their entertainment and pleasure.
Brighton Camp has operated continuously since 1921. Camper attendance has been around 76,000 and there have been around 2,000 staff members hired. Staff members are paid, however, they are set apart as a church calling before the summer begins. Over the years there have been changes. The growth of the stakes in the Salt Lake Valley required registration to be limited for Beehives. However, the biggest change occurred in January 1963, when the grand old Lodge burned to the ground. Despite this heartbreak, camp continued. Through all the changes, the sweet spirit of this place has continued. Campers have forever remembered the names of their counselors, just as you will.
Before Brighton LDS Camp existed, the early Saints visited Brighton in the summer to escape the scorching heat. In 1856, President Jedediah M. Grant of the First Presidency offered a Dedicatory Prayer at Brighton. The following are excerpts from this prayer:
“Our Father and Our God, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow before Thee, and thank Thee that we have the privilege of coming to the tops of these mountains to worship Thee, our God, and to celebrate the liberty of Thy people, and their entrance into these peaceful valleys and mountains. We thank Thee for these mountains, for the fountains of water that flow from them, for the timber that grows upon them, and for all blessings that Thou hast vouchsafed to Thy people in this land…and we consecrate and dedicate it to Thee for the benefit of Thy people, for their happiness, that they may rest here and be safe. Bless all the elements that are there; may the rocks and the mountains be blessed, and everything that has a life.”
You are part of Brighton’s continuing history. You can grow and develop spiritually. You can reach across to others in kindness and acceptance. As we celebrate 90 years, we hope you will continue to make this a place where all may rest and be safe and feel Heavenly Father’s Spirit. Truly, the best it yet to come!
Information for this history is taken from the Brighton Camp History, published in 1989.
