In the early 1980s Brian Holt became a Christian at Royal Ambassador Camporee.
Now he is RA coordinator for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and brings his son Sam to the same weekend camp that changed his life.
“I love this weekend because it’s an opportunity for me to get closer to God, and there’s no better place to get closer to God than through His nature,” Sam Holt said. “To see kids come to Christ this weekend and getting to have all this fun, it’s just awesome.”
Camporee is the third weekend in October at Linden Valley Conference Center, where boys in first through 12th grade, their fathers and mentors participate in a packed weekend in the great outdoors.
“The weather’s always gorgeous,” noted Dan Storms from Faith Baptist Church of Bartlett. “We’re in this valley here. You have fog coming over the hill sometimes. It’s just the most beautiful spot I can think of to have RA camp every year.”
Missions education
From fire-building competitions to carpentry lessons to RA Racers, every boy has something to do at Camporee.
They also get to meet missionaries face to face.
“Missions education is how the next generation of missionaries is on the field, and that’s why Linden Valley is important to us,” noted Gaye Coleman, who was a missionary to West Africa with her husband Dave.
“That’s why we come back to share our missions stories with these boys,” he added.
While campers are taught that they can be missionaries wherever they are, some boys at Camporee are called to full-time ministry.
In the 50 years the camp has been in existence it has ministered to more than 22,000 men and boys.
“Many of the men that we have here today were kids (here) themselves that have now made this part of their ministry and life,” noted Mike Freeman, Camporee committee chairman.
Finding their calling
Brian Holt said he’s seen dozens of boys find their calling to be a missionary or pastor or just serve in their local church.
“This place has played a huge role in that over the years,” he asserted.
Storms has seen other impactful moments from the camp, noting, “I’ve seen boys get saved in that fellowship hall right there. I’ve seen boys get closer to their dads. I’ve seen boys just have a ton of fun out here and connect with each other.”
“ … This where we can reach young people for Christ in ways we wouldn’t have otherwise,” Holt added.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Ashley Perham and originally published by Baptist and Reflector.
