Camp was an integral part of our children’s lives, a highlight of each year. Our son and daughter couldn’t wait until the next summer rolled around.

In our family photo collection we have a pair of similar pictures that are loaded with nostalgic significance. One photo is of our son; the other is of our daughter. Each picture shows our child huddled together with other campers on a hillside at the Regular Baptist camp that our church frequented. Pictured in the middle of the group are our children’s heroes, their counselors. Both pictures show our children a bit disheveled from thrusting themselves into energetic outdoor activities during the week. Their clothes look like they need a good washing-or maybe even a burn barrel.On the faces in these pictures are the ear-to-ear smiles of our children, serving as endorsements of the fun events in that kid-friendly environment. The boys and girls have their arms wrapped around the shoulders of their fellow campers as though they are a band of brothers or sisters who have come through a life-changing experience together. In fact, they had. The pictures reflect some of the happiest days of our children’s growing-up years.

Camp was an integral part of our children’s lives, a highlight of each year. Our son and daughter couldn’t wait until the next summer rolled around. Apart from the annual “honeymoon” of our time without kids, my wife and I viewed camp as worth every penny it cost, a valued time of spiritual growth for our kids. At the end of camp, we looked forward to picking up our kids and hearing about their week. After being away from them for several days, we seemed to think they had grown a couple of inches. They certainly had grown spiritually, taking large steps forward in their relationships with the Lord.

Nothing in our home has brought my wife and me greater joy than to see our children growing in their walks with the Lord. It was at camp that our son made a decision to be open to following the Lord’s calling into vocational ministry. He is now serving as an associate pastor, influencing other lives for Christ. Camp became an instrument God used to direct his life. I owe a debt of gratitude to the committed staff who sacrificially gave of themselves for my children’s spiritual development.

The boys and girls have their arms wrapped around the shoulders of their fellow campers as though they are a band of brothers or sisters who have come through a life-changing experience together. In fact, they had.

As a pastor, my concern for spiritual development extended beyond my personal family to my church family. My church worked hard to have the kinds of ministries that would encourage maturity in Christ. Children, teens, singles, couples, families, and seniors needed to grow in the Lord. And our regional Regular Baptist camp was the ideal ministry to complement our church’s discipleship emphasis, as it provided growth opportunities for all ages and stages of spiritual development.

The camp’s extraordinary ministry of summer camping programs, winter retreats, special focus weekends, and family weeks serviced our church. Our young people grew in their leadership skills as they served in camp staff positions on kitchen or grounds crews or as counselors.

During the camp’s annual workdays, men and women from our church joined teams from sister churches to construct a new building or refurbish an old cabin on the grounds. This was the camp that they and their kids attended, where they worked, and where they invested their money; it wasn’t some impersonal vacation resort. This was an extension of the spiritual growth environment of their homes and their churches. Our people developed ownership in “their camp.”

How do you view your regional camp? In my role with the GARBC, I have had the privilege of seeing behind the scenes the extraordinary people who lead these camping ministries. I know them to be among the most genuine, visionary, creative, hardworking ministry servants anywhere. The camps they direct are worthy of your active support and involvement.

The family of Regular Baptist camps is one of the treasured ministry assets our churches can call their own. I challenge you to keep that treasure an integral part of your church ministry strategy. Promote your camp. Send your kids to camp. Attend the camp’s retreats. Help on workdays. Support your camp financially. The camping ministry is well worth your investment. The dividends will last forever.

See a complete list of Regular Baptist Camps nationwide, along with contact information for each camp.