Christian Camps Reaffirm Safety as ‘Priority No. 1’ after Texas Flood
The president of an association of nearly 850 Christian camps says the Texas flood has pushed members to strengthen safety protocols and to learn from the deadly tragedy. A devastating flash flood in July from the Guadalupe River swept through the riverside cabins of Camp Mystic in Kerr County, Texas, killing at least two dozen children and staff members.
Gregg Hunter, president and CEO of the Christian Camp and Conference Association (CCCA), said the tragedy has prompted leaders of member camps and retreat centers to ask: What would I have done?
Camp Mystic was not a member of the CCCA.
Member camps and retreat centers, Hunter said, have conducted additional training "to ensure that if something were to happen along those lines, everyone knows where to go to, whom to turn, what communication tools to use."
"The camp leaders that I know already believe that safety is priority No. 1 at camp," Hunter told Crosswalk Headlines. "And so they know they must do everything they reasonably can to keep kids as safe as possible at camp."
For example, one camp in Minnesota equips all summer staff with CB radios so they aren't reliant on cell service during a natural disaster. In addition, senior staff carry NOAA weather radios to receive immediate alerts of severe weather.
Hunter said camp leaders are asking of safety precautions: "How can we make ourselves even stronger in that area?"
Hunter credits a Christian camp from his youth with transforming him from a rebellious teenager into a follower of Christ committed to serving Jesus.
Christian camps, he said, give children and teens a chance to strengthen their faith and friendships in a world filled with digital distractions.
"I still hear from Christian kids and their families: 'My kid came home different.' There's an opportunity [at camp] for kids to make their faith their own."
Between 33 and 40 percent of children who attend a Christian camp make a first-time commitment to Jesus, he said.
"I can't think of a church where 33 to 40 percent of the youth group kids on Wednesdays or Sunday mornings give their life to Jesus," he said. "There's something special about this environment where kids like me are willing to stop and hear the voice of God and let him speak to my heart and give my life to him."
Christian camps also offer children and teens an opportunity to experience nature and to unplug from their phones.
"With such high levels of anxiety and depression and suicidal ideation among kids, camp provides this wonderful opportunity for them to break away from whatever it is that they live in day to day … and to spend time in creation with caring adults. And while they're there, they can learn new skills and experience adventures. They get to have victory in taking safe risks -- things like horseback riding or rappelling or ropes courses that generally a lot of kids don't have in their backyard."
Hunter encourages families with questions to contact their local Christian camp.
"They love God. They love kids. They want to connect your kids with God," he said. "... I'm one of those that was changed decades ago at a Christian camp."
Photo Credit: ©Christian Camp and Conference Association
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published August 19, 2025.
