History
Established in 1948 as the Little Rock Conference Methodist Camp, Camp Tanako was founded on the shores of Lake Catherine in the Ouachita Mountains as a place where Arkansas Methodists could gather children, youth, and adults into community with one another and with God through the natural world.
Camp Tanako takes its name from Tanico, a Native American capital town in Arkansas visited by Hernando de Soto's expedition in 1542. Much of what was written about the people of Tanico — known to historians as the Cayas — comes from the chronicles of that expedition. The camp's founders, drawn to the name, adjusted its spelling slightly to Tanako when the camp opened in 1948.
Inside the dining hall hangs a bronze plaque, given in memory of Mrs. Ethel Leola Colgan Spicer, that tells a legend the founders attached to the name. The plaque is written in the language of its day, which we receive as part of the camp's own mid-century history rather than as a claim about the Cayas themselves. What endures from that story is the conviction the founders carried into their work: that this would be a place set apart, where any visitor could come and find peace.
Over the decades, the camp grew into a year-round ministry on more than 200 acres — with a chapel, dining hall, swimming pool, lakefront, ropes course, the Tanako Life Center, and a network of cabins, trails, and gathering spaces that have welcomed generations of campers, families, and retreat groups.
As the ministry's reach broadened, the corporation was reorganized and renamed Camp Tanako, Inc. Today the camp operates as an independent 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation, with its property held in trust for The United Methodist Church and its operations governed in accordance with The Book of Discipline.
In 2023, Camp Tanako celebrated its 75th anniversary — three quarters of a century of faith formation, friendship, and lives changed by time spent set apart from the busyness of the world. From the first generation of campers in 1948 to the children and youth who arrive today, Tanako remains what it has always been: a place where God meets us in creation.
Camp Tanako takes its name from Tanico, a Native American capital town in Arkansas visited by Hernando de Soto's expedition in 1542. Much of what was written about the people of Tanico — known to historians as the Cayas — comes from the chronicles of that expedition. The camp's founders, drawn to the name, adjusted its spelling slightly to Tanako when the camp opened in 1948.
Inside the dining hall hangs a bronze plaque, given in memory of Mrs. Ethel Leola Colgan Spicer, that tells a legend the founders attached to the name. The plaque is written in the language of its day, which we receive as part of the camp's own mid-century history rather than as a claim about the Cayas themselves. What endures from that story is the conviction the founders carried into their work: that this would be a place set apart, where any visitor could come and find peace.
Over the decades, the camp grew into a year-round ministry on more than 200 acres — with a chapel, dining hall, swimming pool, lakefront, ropes course, the Tanako Life Center, and a network of cabins, trails, and gathering spaces that have welcomed generations of campers, families, and retreat groups.
As the ministry's reach broadened, the corporation was reorganized and renamed Camp Tanako, Inc. Today the camp operates as an independent 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation, with its property held in trust for The United Methodist Church and its operations governed in accordance with The Book of Discipline.
In 2023, Camp Tanako celebrated its 75th anniversary — three quarters of a century of faith formation, friendship, and lives changed by time spent set apart from the busyness of the world. From the first generation of campers in 1948 to the children and youth who arrive today, Tanako remains what it has always been: a place where God meets us in creation.
Today
Camp Tanako welcomes children, youth, and adults from across Arkansas and beyond throughout the year. Our summer season offers overnight camps for elementary, junior high, and senior high age groups, along with Mini Camp, Fishing Camp, a Leadership-in-Training program, and a state-licensed Summer Day Camp for rising 1st through 6th graders.
The retreat and guest-group season runs year-round. Churches, schools, families, and other organizations gather at Tanako for conferences, reunions, weekend retreats, weddings, and day events, with cabins, meeting space, and meals tailored to each group.
Through it all, the work of Camp Tanako is grounded in the Seven Foundations of United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministry: providing intentional places apart, nurturing Christian faith and discipleship, developing spiritual leaders, teaching creation care, extending Christian hospitality, collaborating with local churches, and equipping guests to do love and justice.
The retreat and guest-group season runs year-round. Churches, schools, families, and other organizations gather at Tanako for conferences, reunions, weekend retreats, weddings, and day events, with cabins, meeting space, and meals tailored to each group.
Through it all, the work of Camp Tanako is grounded in the Seven Foundations of United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministry: providing intentional places apart, nurturing Christian faith and discipleship, developing spiritual leaders, teaching creation care, extending Christian hospitality, collaborating with local churches, and equipping guests to do love and justice.
Accreditation & Connection
Camp Tanako has been accredited by the American Camp Association since 2003. ACA accreditation is the recognized standard for camp operation in the United States, covering health, safety, and program quality across more than 250 standards of practice.
Camp Tanako, Inc. is an Arkansas 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and an extension ministry of the Arkansas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. We are also a member of United Methodist Camp & Retreat Ministries (UMCRM), the connectional body for camp and retreat centers across the denomination.
Camp Tanako, Inc. is an Arkansas 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and an extension ministry of the Arkansas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. We are also a member of United Methodist Camp & Retreat Ministries (UMCRM), the connectional body for camp and retreat centers across the denomination.
