Each Friday throughout 2019 we are going to put out a story. Frontier Camp turns 50 this year! So we are thinking that 50 stories to highlight the life change that Christ has brought about over the decades will be downright fun! It seems best to start with a story about how Frontier Camp came to be.
Some Christian Service Brigade (a program for men to disciple boys) leaders from across Texas were looking for a place to camp with the boys in their program. In the late 1960s, they came together to establish the Ark-La-Tex Camping Corporation. They formed a Board of Directors and created a bond program to purchase a 74-acre tract in the piney woods of East Texas. This property had some waterfront on the newly impounded Houston County Lake near Crockett.
These hearty men and their families came out to clear away yaupon and briars and established what they called Frontier Camp. They used their own time and financial resources to build the first cabins and dining hall. The first decade could be defined as an uphill battle as the fledgling camp searched for an identity since not all of the Texas Brigade leaders were supporting the effort.
Through the search and early days, the Lord led the camp to Wes Woodard, its fourth Director in the first 9 years. Wes and the Board of Directors at that time took the camp in the direction of a non-denominational, independent, resident camp and retreat center focused on impacting Houston area children, teens and churches for Christ. Horses and water-skiing became the key recreational components. But more importantly, an unwavering commitment to teaching the Word of God was at the center of everything that was done.
God honored these changes and the summer and retreat programs began to grow. This allowed for a payoff of the land, adding new facilities and bringing stability to the ministry. Other than expanding beyond the Houston area, Frontier Camp has maintained the course set by the leadership at that time. The ministry continues today by focusing on the mission of “Making disciples of Jesus by sharing God’s Word in His creation.”
Stay tuned each Friday as we tell stories around the campfire about how God has used Frontier Camp since 1969. It is a special place and we’re glad you are a part of it. If you’d like to read more about the early days of the camp or how we got to where we are today, read on!
To God be the Glory!
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