Kingfield officials pursue zoning violations to stop religious retreats

The Kingfield Select Board has voted to pursue zoning violations against Deer Farm Campground to curb mass retreats held by Legendarios, an evangelical men’s ministry. The decision follows months of complaints from local residents regarding noise, trespassing, and unpermitted construction.

Residents reported disturbances including chanting, barking, and marching through the woods during large gatherings. The board’s order targets several violations, including the campground reopening without Planning Board permission, expanding without a required site plan review, and violating state sanitation rules by hosting more campers than permitted. If enforced, the regulations could cap future gatherings at the site’s 36 approved campsites, significantly limiting the capacity for the large-scale events previously hosted by the group.