Beginning Friday through July 18, an estimated 10,000 people will come from all walks of life and locations to honor the tradition of Salem Camp Meeting, now in its 180th year. Founded in 1828, the interdenominational campground is located at 3940 Salem Road, three miles south of Interstate 20 between Covington and Conyers. Seekers come for worship, reunion and spiritual renewal.

"Salem is not just for the 500 people from over 15 states that attend and stay in the tents and hotel on the grounds," said Sam Ramsey, Salem's Board of Trustees chairman. "We want the entire community to feel welcome and come enjoy this great time of spiritual enrichment with us and hear the gospel of Christ preached in a powerful way."

 Special music starts at 7:45 p.m. Friday with Covington's Alice Walker and Becky Ramsey playing gospel favorites on two grand pianos. The Conyers First United Methodist Church choir will sing. Thomas R. Roberts, music director and platform leader since 1989, will lead the congregational hymns. Dr. Philip D. DeMore, graduate of Young Harris College, North Georgia College, The Chandler School of Theology and the United Theological Seminary, will preach the 8 p.m. service. Youth activities will follow at 9:30 p.m.

  "We have some of the best preachers in the country," Ramsey said. "Every Methodist bishop in the history of Georgia has preached at Salem. We have had at least five individuals become ministers in the last 20 years because of Salem."

 Saturday morning features a special youth service at 11 a.m. A 60-member youth choir from Smyrna First United Methodist Church will perform and DeMore will speak.

 Lunch will be available for the youth at noon for $4 at the Salem Hotel. Kevin (Chappy) Hynes, chaplain of the University of Georgia football team, will speak at 1 p.m. and Blake Gors will sing and play praise and worship selections on his guitar. Youth from all the churches in the area are invited to attend.

 Saturday night will feature the combined choirs of Covington and Conyers Presbyterian churches. Dr. Andrew Purves of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary will bring the 8 p.m. message. A native of Scotland, Purves received degrees in philosophy and divinity from the University of Edinburgh, and a Master of Theology from Duke Divinity School. His doctorate is from the University of Edinburgh. Licensed by the Church of Scotland, he came to the United States in 1978.

 Sunday morning features the choirs of the Salem and Covington First Methodist Churches. Also featured will be a brass quartet of Alan Fowler, Tim Adams, Bryan Pulliam and Darren Bates of Covington. DeMore will preach again at the 11 a.m. service.

 At 2 p.m., Sunday, anyone who has pictures of former Salem meetings are urged to bring them to have them scanned for historical preservation by Emory University's Theology School.

 At the 8 p.m. Sunday service, the choir and quartet of the Avondale Baptist Church will sing and Purves will preach.

 Salem Camp Meeting is considered a rich heritage by those who return each year with enlightening and memorable services.

 "I've been there every year of my life and it's the highlight of the year for me," Ramsey said. "I'm partial because I am the fifth generation that has been out there. The tent that my ancestor, George Cunningham, built in 1840 is still there. The Cunningham and Ramsey families have occupied that tent since 1840."

 Ramsey reflected on memories of sitting in the Salem Hotel lobby listening to the radio to hear the surrender of World War II and watching the first Russian Sputnik go over the camp grounds. He recalled when former president Jimmy Carter came to offer the Sunday morning prayer when he was governor of Georgia. Carter confided in Ramsey that he had decided to run for president and asked that he pray for him. Another memory involved protecting Governor Harris from hecklers when he came to speak and pray one Wednesday evening. He remembered the friendships he has made with approximately 125 ministers over the years at Salem Camp Meeting.

Tenters are awakened to the trumpeting of "Reveille" and retire with "Taps." They are summoned to services and activities by Salem's bell. The schedule Monday through Friday begins with a morning devotional at the tabernacle at 7:30 a.m. Classes for all ages begin at 9:30 a.m. A nursery will be provided at Salem Church during morning class times. Morning worship is at 11. Special music begins at 7:45 p.m. prior to the evening worship at 8:00 p.m. Youth activities follow at 9:30 p.m.

Several overhead fans have been installed to maintain a comfortable breeze under the tabernacle. The 32-room hotel features a 125-seat dining room. Meal times are 8 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Adult and child prices are $6.75 and $4.75 for breakfast and $9.00 and $7.00 for both lunch and supper. Reservations are suggested. For Salem Hotel, meal or room reservations, call (770) 786-6841.Visit www.salemcampmeeting.org for more information.

Salem Camp Meeting is considered a rich heritage by those who return each year with enlightening and memorable services.

 "I've been there every year of my life and it's the highlight of the year for me," Ramsey said. "I'm partial because I am the fifth generation that has been out there. The tent that my ancestor, George Cunningham, built in 1840, is still there. The Cunningham and Ramsey families have occupied that tent since 1840."

 Ramsey reflected on memories of sitting in the Salem Hotel lobby listening to the radio to hear the surrender of World War II and watching the first Russian Sputnik go over the camp grounds.

 He recalled when former president Jimmy Carter came to offer the Sunday morning prayer when he was governor of Georgia. Carter confided in Ramsey that he had decided to run for president and asked that he pray for him.

 Another memory involved protecting Governor Harris from hecklers when he came to speak and pray one Wednesday evening. He remembered the friendships he has made with approximately 125 ministers over the years at Salem Camp Meeting.

 Tenters are awakened to the trumpeting of "Reveille" and retire with "Taps." They are summoned to services and activities by Salem's bell. The schedule Monday through Friday begins with a morning devotional at the tabernacle at 7:30 a.m.

 Classes for all ages begin at 9:30 a.m. A nursery will be provided at Salem Church during morning class times. Morning worship is at 11. Special music begins at 7:45 p.m. prior to the evening worship at 8:00 p.m. Youth activities follow at 9:30 p.m.

 Several overhead fans have been installed to maintain a comfortable breeze under the tabernacle. The 32-room hotel features a 125-seat dining room. Meal times are 8 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Adult and child prices are $6.75 and $4.75 for breakfast and $9.00 and $7.00 for both lunch and supper. Reservations are suggested.

 For Salem Hotel, meal or room reservations, call (770) 786-6841.Visit www.salemcampmeeting.org for more information.