Decision On Youth Camp Sept. 17

The Wasco County Court on Wednesday delayed until Sept. 17 a decision on whether to allow a Christian youth camp at the site of the former Rajneeshee commune.

The delay gives the applicants, Texas-based Young Life, time to answer testimony opposing the camp.

While the court appears ready to rule in favor of the youth camp, the applicants said they want the final word.

Opponents say the camp would be an improper conversion of agricultural lands.

The former Rajneeshpuram was founded in the early 1980s and dissolved in 1985 amid a flurry of criminal conspiracy.

At its height, some 4,000 red-clad followers of the late Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, who had 93 Rolls Royces and the unswerving loyalty of his disciples, lived at the newly constructed commune near the high desert town of Antelope.

The cult bought the 64,000-acre Big Muddy Ranch for $6 million in 1981. After the Rajneeshees disbanded, Montana millionaire Dennis Washington bought it for $3.65 million in 1985 and has offered it to the youth group.