Plains Baptist Camp needs donations to stay open
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God’s country, a view from the bottom of Plains Baptist Camp and Retreat. (The Hesperian-Beacon/Teresa Bigham)
Looking down into the Plains Baptist Camp and Retreat from the top of Blanco Canyon. (The Hesperian-Beacon/Teresa Bigham)
By Teresa Bigham/The Hesperian-Beacon—
FLOYDADA – Founded in 1949 by local Baptist churches, Plains Baptist Camp and Retreat is a place of gathering, growing and spiritual healing for people from all church denomination and walks of life.
As many of people know this is a place so near God, they can feel the serene atmosphere travelling the little dirt winding road to the bottom of Blanco Canyon where they will likely be greeted by the camp’s friendly goat herd. It is such a peaceful place they cannot help but connect with God.
In years past many groups and organizations have gathered there to host outdoor education classes, Bible studies, summer camps and First Baptist Church of Floydada’s Kids Kamp, which so many of local children have attended. With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the beautiful camp and retreat is need of support to help keep the gates open.
So many children have made lifelong friends and met that one adult mentor that has changed their lives at Plains Baptist Camp and Retreat. Not to mention so many children experience a little bit of country living in the wide-open spaces of the peaceful canyon where the stars in the nighttime sky seem bigger and brighter than ever.
“Gathering restrictions have resulted in a considerable drop in summer activities and the fall activities will most likely be the same,” Wayne Davis, executive director, said. “The camp usually hosts 3,700 campers over the 10-week summer period, but this year we only had 341 people visit the camp.”
The camp employees and campers are asked to adhere to a full list COVID-19 guidelines. The staff is constantly disinfecting high touch areas and face masks are required as well as social distancing.
“With the campers that we have had this summer, we have started serving breakfast in the cabins to our campers. They really seemed to enjoy that,” Davis said. “Some campers take their meals outside and enjoy the peaceful surrounding while other enjoyed their breakfast in the cabins. The dining hall is never over 30-percent capacity. Some of the activities, such as the zip line, have been postponed for now since close contact is required, but the swimming pool is open, and we’ve had so many more enjoyable activities to take part in.”
Davis said it takes roughly $40,000 a month to keep this camp up and running. The camp has taken advantage of the federal government’s Payroll Protection Program (PPE) and had really scaled back, at the same time the camp is at the end of its reserve funding.
Plains Baptist Camp and Retreat has relied on the campers for 95 percent of the money it takes to keep the camp running. Without the campers, Plains Baptist Camp and Retreat is asking past campers, citizens of the community and surrounding communities to consider donating to help keep this amazing camp and retreat open for everyone to enjoy.
To donate, visit the Plains Baptist Camp and Retreat website at pbacamp.org or call the office at 806-983-3954.
Donations to Plains Baptist Camp and Retreat Center are greatly appreciated, Davis said. Unless directly specified, donations will go toward the general fund and will be used where it is most needed, whether it’s to pay the summer staff, upgrade cabins, improve activities, or other needs arise.
For more information on making a donation or attending camp or a retreat, email [email protected]
