This year Camp Pearl in Reeves, celebrates its 75th year. What started as a two-week summer camp has grown into seven weeks of camps during the summer for all age groups, child to adult. Camp Pearl also hosts weekend retreats, seminars, conferences and a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the world in its efforts to support the ministries of local Bible believing churches in Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas.

Campers today will never know the camp originally built in 1947 with the support of the Bible Conferences Mission, the name of the mission arm of a group of Congregational churches. Camp Pearl has changed, as have the youth who now make lasting friendships and memories there.

The old dormitories were replaced years ago, air-conditioned. Even the gym, which during the mid 1960s or so was a basketball goal hanging from the rafters in the back of the chapel is now air-conditioned.

Today’s campers will never know the lull of the sound of the large window fans, that gentle whirring to siphon out the day’s hot air and circulate in its place something, if not slightly cooler, then at least the promise; adults, stern but loving authoritarian figures with the patience of Jesus himself who volunteered to be there with the campers knowing full well they wouldn’t sleep comfortably and may not sleep at all; the sound of the bell that woke campers and signaled meals, classes, playtimes and services; and the dinner on the ground at the end of it all, row after row of barbecue, chicken and dumplings, fried chicken, Jello salads, corn casserole, picked fresh and seasoned just right field peas, potato salad, ambrosia salad, deviled eggs and cakes of all kinds.

It has been a very long time since Camp Pearl campers swam in a nearby creek or were enthralled by Wanda Koonce Johnson’s flannel board stories of the disciples.

Shelton Fontenot of Reeves, wanted to go Camp Pearl in 1947 before those fans were installed, before the cabins had water heaters.

“At the time we lived between Kinder and Fenton, in Edna, he said, but momma (Tressie Baker Fontenot) thought I was too young. I had to wait.”

It wasn’t because she was worried the little nine-year-old farm boy might get homesick. Older siblings were allowed to go that first year. His mother and his father, Raney Fontenot, even aunts and uncles attended the evening church services. As much as he loved his parents and respected them, Camp Pearl was a break from the rice fields and Shelton Fontenot had a heart for God from a young age.

His parents were Godly, and Fontenot grew up during a time when there was absolutely no work on Sunday, not on his father’s farm. He continued the tradition on his own farm. Getting to school 30 minutes late was OK, if the bus had dropped you off at the Catholic or Congregational Youth Club that morning. It was such a morning that Wanda Johnson’s missionary story pierced his heart; he responded by committing his life to God.

“She wrote a note to my mother,” Fontenot said. “I never looked at it until I got home and momma showed it to me. It said, I was born again. Momma carried it around in her black purse for years. When Mary Lee and I married, she gave it to us and I still have it.

Shelton and Mary Lee dedicated their marriage and farm to the church, kept a guest room to host preachers and evangelists, helped build mission churches, and sent their children to Camp Pearl. Their children sent theirs and even great grandchildren have attended Camp Pearl.

“Pastors who came together to start this camp – Fontenot named Brother Leeds and Brother Baggett – recognized the need to reach youth with the gospel,” said Camp Pearl Associate Director Andy Buzzard.

Camp Pearl has continued its focus despite the many cultural shifts of the past 75 years.

“While we do host adult conferences, primarily, we still exist to reach youth with the gospel,” Buzzard said.

Before COVID youth camps saw about 750 students. Thousands have been campers on the almost 60 acres of properties.

Camp offers morning devotional time, evening worship, Bible study, great food, snacks, activities and sports.

“We have a ropes course now and of course the swimming pool is popular,” Buzzard said. “When I was able to come as a camper, I came every single week that was available and sometimes twice.”

Pastors, teachers and volunteers still teach the importance of servanthood, even though it’s now dressed up in an exciting acronym, SWAT, Servants Worthy and True.

Like Fontenot, Camp Pearl served as an impetus to develop Buzzard’s passion for serving the Lord, who unlike the culture, Camp Pearl dorms or auditorium, changeth not (Malachi 3:6).

Camp Pearl will hold camps for 3rd through 12th graders beginning June 15 and ending July 29. Go to camppearl.com to register. Or call 337-666-2433.