Camp Mozumdar Revived in Rededication Ceremony

High atop the San Bernardino Mountains in South­ern California, Camp Mozumdar, marked by its gold-spired temple, is a unique and awe-inspiring place. Built in the 1920s by Prince A.K. Mozumdar, one of the first Indian spiritual teachers in the United States and a man who promoted unity and harmony among all religions, the temple still draws curious visitors and lately has undergone a sort of renaissance and revival leading up to its public rededication ceremony this past weekend.

Over 200 people attended the Camp Mozumdar Rededication Ceremony and Sunday Service on Sunday, November 8, 2015. Pastor George Kazakos of the Los Angeles Family Church gave a rousing welcome, sharing a brief background of the property and introducing historians and special guests who would speak that day.

“This is a spiritual kickoff to make this a place for God,” he said, explaining the significance of this day. He also explained the significance of True Children’s Day, an upcoming Holy Day which this morning service celebrated a few days early.

Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, Continental Chair of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) North America, took the podium and described the investment he has seen going into Camp Mozumdar over the last few years.

“Everyone who comes here says they have new life after they visit,” he shared. He then proceeded to give a sermon about True Children’s Day, using the vision of Camp Mozumdar as an example of the importance of creating a good, healthy environment in which to raise children. “Did God create human beings first or nature first?” he asked. “Nature first. Why? We are celebrating the 56th anniversary of True Children’s Day, but True Parents established, after Parents’ Day, not Children’s Day, but the Day of All Things. We need a great environment before we give birth to our children. This is God’s principle of creation.”

After Dr. Kim’s message, a dedication ceremony kicked off the new vision for Camp Mozumdar as a place where people can gather, study the Divine Principle and hold community events.

Representing the donors and all the neighboring families who have contributed to Camp Mozumdar’s revival, the man who conceived the idea for a rededication ceremony—Hugh Campbell—spoke about the spiritual significance of dedicating a place to God.

“You need people who are willing to put their spirits into this place so that it has meaning,” he said. “Everybody that’s here is invested in this place.”

A few others took the stage to share their experiences at Camp Mozumdar, from those who were dedicated to Mozumdar’s cause, to those who have lived nearby for decades and those who work every day to maintain the site. These included Andrew Smith; David Howard, President of the Universal Message, a group from Oregon started by A.K. Mozumdar; Juan Morales, renovation director of the camp; Gene Barnhurst; Neil and Diane Nottingham, Assistant Directors of Public Affairs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; Mike Kim; David Jung; and Jason Park. Also present were historians and researchers of Mozumdar and Christina Solstad, the granddaughter of William Lodge, the site’s architect.

After a prayer offered by Pastor Kazakos, the dedication ceremony concluded and the grounds were open for all to explore. With a local Unificationist band playing songs in the background, the energy was high as children played volleyball, guests enjoyed a barbecue lunch and Unificationists, families and the many stakeholders who donated money or time to the camp’s renovations enjoyed a day touring the grounds.

Camp Mozumdar is a place that is open to people of all faiths to come and experience God. Include this place in your travel plans and stay tuned for upcoming events taking place in this beautiful spiritual haven.