By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist camps are facing an uncertain summer season but their ministry leaders are confident God will provide.
Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth has not hosted any groups since Governor John Bel Edwards issued a stay at home order March 22 that limited gatherings to no more than 10 people.
Camp Director Josh Bumgardner told the Baptist Message the only summer camp that has been affected so far is the Champion’s Camp. Because many of the special needs campers have compromised immune systems, Louisiana Baptist Convention children’s ministry strategist David Anderson made the decision to move that camp date from June to Sept. 18-20.
“All of us want to have summer camps if conditions are safe to do so,” Bumgardner said. “Summer camps have a huge impact on the spiritual lives of children and youth. We see new Christians born each summer and so many more whose faith matures here.
The decision to go ahead or cancel a camp will be made three weeks prior.
“If it is safe enough to have a week of camp at that point, we absolutely want to host it,”he said. But he emphasized his commitment to set a good example on behalf of Louisiana Baptists even if it means canceling camps during the busiest part of the summer season in order to abide by the state mandates.
“The big point we want our churches to know is that right now preparations are being made for all summer camps,” he said. “We will be ready to host.”
James Newsom, director of Acadian Baptist Camp in Eunice, said he has canceled all camps scheduled through May, but that he has not decided regarding events in June and beyond.
“We are blessed to have people who donate regularly to the camp, but 75 percent of our operating budget comes from camp revenue,” Newsom said. “We know God will see us through it, but it is nerve racking.
“Pray for all of our camps and realize they are a type of business that depends on groups coming,” he continued. “If people have extra funding after they tithe, a donation to the camps would be a blessing to them.”
Acadian Baptist Center has faced hardships before and persevered, Newsom offered.
“This crisis reminds me of Katrina and Rita,” he said, explaining that housing evacuees on campus caused the cancellation of camps. “We were concerned about making it, but the Lord provided enough donations for us to stay in there and minister to lots of people. We are trusting Him now to do the same.”
Todd Burnaman, director of Dry Creek Camp, echoed similar sentiments. He has called off camp meetings until early May, and has used the free time to perform needed facility maintenance.
“Just like everyone else we’ve been impacted greatly,” he said. “It’s a real knock to our spirit when our ministry is to gather people under the banner of Christ.
“Our biggest needs are for financial provision and for folks to trust us that we will take great care of them once we are able to have people gather at Dry Creek again,” he continued. “We have our hearts set on better days, and are planning on having a great season of summer camp right now. We will see.”
Moving forward, each of the camp directors were adamant that they will continue trusting God with the final outcome.
“My prayer has been based on James 1:5, to ask God for wisdom because I know He is faithful to supply wisdom to us,” Bumgardner said. “Pray for our camp and conference center leaders, and for those that lead camp program staff. We all want to make decisions about hosting that are safe for our campers and for the public while following our calling to lead others to Christ.”
