The hard work and dedication of Mel Northrop, Colin Caldwell, and Stephen Smith to start a summer Bible camp for children paid off in July 1952 when the first Camp Li-Lo-Li opened at Allegany State Park. Despite the fact that these three men had never run a camp before, their passion for the ministry inspired them to learn the ins and outs of running a camp and they succeeded in their mission. The camp was named by 11-year-old Betty Carol Northrop in a naming competition and stands for Life-Love-Light, all attributes of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.