Recognizing that there was a need for recreational activities for adults with developmental and physical disabilities, Camp Horizon was started by the Lynden Jaycees in 1974, That first year there were 17 campers attending the session at the Lynden Fairgrounds. By 1981 the program had grown beyond the Jaycee’s capability to operate and the Lynden Lions Club assumed the leadership, hosting 85 campers that year. Lions Camp Horizon continued to grow and by 1985, we had moved to the former Blaine Airforce Station, now Whatcom County’s, Bay Horizon Park, hosting 130 campers that season.
In 1986, the Camp Horizon Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit, owned by Lions Clubs of District 19H (NW Washington and SW British Columbia), was formed to operate and maintain Lions Camp Horizon and Bay Horizon Park, our home. Over time we grew to having four Base Camps and later added two smaller Adventure Camp sessions. Currently we can accommodate 260 campers spread over our six camp sessions each summer.
Over our 45year history, tens of thousands of hours have been donated by Lions Club members, their friends, families, community supporters, etc. to improve and maintain our campus and grounds. Additionally, thousands of hours have been donated for food service, program and temporary positions to help reduce the cost of operating our summer camp sessions. In 2019, we hosted a nine member Americorps Team for eight weeks during which they undertook a wide variety of building, sidewalk and grounds maintenance activities.