Camping in the Wytheville District began with Camp Moxley, located in Elk Creek, VA, in the late 1930s. Since then, camping has held a special place in the hearts of many children, youth, and adults in our District. Camp Moxley closed in the early 1960s when Camp Aldersgate was established on Claytor Lake in Pulaski County, VA. Camp Aldersgate closed in 1970 when Camp Dickenson was founded near Fries, VA.

Camp Dickenson is located along the New River near Fries, VA, on 536 acres of wooded ridges, open fields, two islands, and 1.6 miles of New River frontage. The property was a farm from the late 1760s until 1970 when William "Bill" Dickenson donated the land and an old farmhouse to the Wytheville District of Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church. It has served as a summer camp and retreat center ever since. The farmhouse was built in the late 1870s and was the Dickenson family home. It is now one of two lodges that serve adults, youth, and children throughout the year. Camp Dickenson carries on a long tradition of camping in the Wytheville District and remains faithful to the wishes of Bill Dickenson when he donated his "old home place" so that people of all ages could gather in "Christian fellowship and good company."