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GENERAL INFORMATION . . .

Our Roots . . .A youth meeting that began in Laurel, Mississippi in 1941 started the movement that culminated in the opportunity to have our own camp grounds.

Each year the youth meeting was held at a different church until 1947, when the group had outgrown all church facilities and began to meet at different camp grounds in Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas. The National Encampment as it was known by then, grew to over 2,000 campers while meeting at Latham Springs near Hillsboro, Texas. The desire to have our own camp grounds resulted in a group of men being chosen to consider this possibility and in 1957 Dr. Z. L. Daniel’s Estate gave 20 acres of beautiful East Texas land to the National Encampment. Later an additional 33 acres which had been leased to the camp, was given by the estate to complete the 52-acre campus located at the city limits of Gary, Texas.

In 1965, the first full summer camp season began with Eugene Gauntt serving as full time Camp Director and he served until his retirement following the 1979 camping season. In September 1979, James Speer was elected as Camp Director. Daniel Springs has moved from a summer camp, rented out to different groups, to a department of the Baptist Missionary Association of America that provides a full service of facilities and programs for camps, retreats, seminars, family reunions, church outings and meeting space for civic and community groups.

The main focus has and will always continue to be the spiritual welfare of our youth. This has been made apparent by the 10,000 or more young people who have made a profession of their faith in Christ since 1965. We are owned, operated and supported by the churches of the Baptist Missionary Association of America, and other funds are made available through camp fees and use fees generated by the camp.

OUR PURPOSE . . . To provide an age-appropriate opportunity for all youth to experience the presence of God through prayer, Bible study and fellowship, while relating to others in that group.

OUR PROGRAM . . . To provide a Bible-based program designed to help all youth grow in their relationship with Christ and to equip them to do the work of their ministry. To provide recreation that will challenge them to work with their peers as a team in a way that will bring honor to God.

OUR PROMISE . . . To do everything possible to bring all campers to a one-on-one relationship with Jesus Christ. To encourage students to be strong in their commitment to Christ in three areas; personal life, family life and church life.

FACILITIES . . . Twenty-four cabins which house up to 28 campers each and two centrally heated and air-conditioned 200 bed dormitories complete our housing facilities for a capacity of over 1,000 campers. Other facilities include a 480 seat cafeteria and a 1,000 seat worship center which are both heated and air-conditioned. In the cafeteria complex are the camp office and the canteen snack bar area. We also have an infirmary staffed around the clock by our camp nurse. We also have a bookstore/gift shop.

Our Bible study classes meet at the 13 small class tabernacles that are scattered throughout the camp grounds. For recreation we have a large swimming pool, softball field, basketball court, beach volleyball court, grass volleyball court, horseshoe area, ping pong tables, paddle boats and a fully equipped playground area.

PRE-REGISTRATION MANDATORY . . . Each church must mail or fax a list of all their campers to Daniel Springs at least one week before their camp date and each name is to be accompanied by a $5.00 non-refundable deposit. The $5.00 deposit may be transferred within that church group to another named camper. Those campers not registered at least one week before their camp date will be charged a $5.00 late fee. Additions and deletions may be made to your list by telephone or by fax, however ABSOLUTELY NO REGISTRATION WILL BE ACCEPTED BY PHONE.

REGISTRATION . . . The camp office begins registration at 1:00 PM on Tuesday. The first meal provided will be the evening meal on Tuesday and the last meal served will be the morning meal on Friday. *NO CHURCH IS TO ARRIVE ON THE CAMP GROUNDS BEFORE 12:00 NOON ON THE DAY OF REGISTRATION AND NO GROUP WILL BE ALLOWED TO OCCUPY THEIR CABIN UNTIL THEIR CAMP FEE IS PAID AND THEY ARE REGISTERED AT THE CAMP OFFICE.

WHAT TO BRING . . . Bible, towels, wash cloths, toiletries, linens, pillow, umbrella, swim suit (one-piece), camera, ball glove, flashlight, notebook, pen or pencil, clothes for the week and SPENDING MONEY. Dress for the week is casual.

DRESS CODE . . . Shoes must be worn at all times outside the cabins. No tank tops or revealing clothes are to be worn. T-shirts and caps cannot promote alcohol, tobacco, drug use or display undesirable messages. Shorts may be worn during daytime activities. No shorts will be permitted at worship center during preaching services. The length of all shorts must be to within one hand’s width (approximately 4 inches) of the top of the knee. Caps should not be worn in the worship center or the cafeteria. Sponsors will be held accountable for the dress of their youth group.

CANTEEN HOURS . . . The canteen is open at break time in the morning usually at 10:00 a.m. for 30 minutes, in the afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and after the evening service, usually around 9:00 p.m. for 45 minutes. Soft drinks, candy, chips, ice cream and bagged ice are sold at the canteen. Coin operated drink machines are available to campers at times when the canteen is not staffed.

CAMP RULES . . .

1. CONDUCT . . . Every camper is expected to conduct themselves in a Christian manner and obey all the rules.

2. LIGHTS OUT . . . This time will be specified on each camp schedule and no camper is to be outside their cabin after this time.

3. BUILDING USE . . . Any damage done to the buildings will be assessed by the camp manager and the group responsible will be charged for its repair. DO NOT PLAY INSIDE THE CABINS, MARK ON THE WALLS OR CEILINGS, OR DAMAGE IN ANY MANNER. Each cabin must be swept and clean on Friday morning.

4. SWIMMING POOL . . . No night swimming allowed. A lifeguard must be present at all swimming sessions. Do not enter the pool area until permission is granted by the lifeguard. No running, no food or drink containers inside the pool area. Swimmers must be covered while walking to and from the pool. Every swimmer, including sponsors, will obey commands of lifeguard or forfeit swim time.

5. OUT OF BOUNDS . . . Boys are not permitted in the girl’s area of the camp and girls are not permitted in the boy’s area except when loading or unloading your group.

6. CAFETERIA . . . No meals will be eaten outside the cafeteria. After eating, each camper must remove plates and cups and silverware to the garbage area at the south side of the cafeteria. Styrofoam cups must remain at garbage area. Tampering with food items will not be tolerated.

7. ATTENDANCE . . . All campers are required to attend all Bible study classes and services at the worship center.

8. SPONSORS . . . There must be one responsible adult (over 21 years of age) for every 10 campers from your group. The sponsors are responsible for discipline and dress of their group. No church will be registered without qualified sponsors.

9. USE OF AUTOS . . . Parking around cafeteria complex is limited, try to leave your vehicle at your cabin. Do not exceed 15 MPH on camp roads. Do not ride on outside of autos or vans or on tailgate of pickups.

10. PROHIBITED . . . Laser pointers, firearms, fireworks, water pistols, water balloons, drugs and alcoholic beverages are prohibited on the camp grounds. Use of tobacco in any form is not allowed. Shaving creme or tooth paste used for pranks will not be allowed.

11. PRIVACY . . . Respect the privacy of others. Use of radios, CD and tape players is discouraged.

IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO COMPLY WITH THESE RULES YOU FORFEIT YOUR CAMP FEE AND CAMP PRIVILEGES.

NORMAL DAY S ACTIVITIES . . . The morning usually starts with breakfast around 8:00 a.m. after which the campers enjoy an hour or more of organized games and contests. Bible classes are divided by age and meet for a 45 minute session after which they are given a canteen break. The campers then go back for another Bible class time. Lunch is served at noon and then the afternoon is for free time and scheduled swimming. They may participate in any of the team sports going on at that time or use that time to make new friends.

The evening meal is served around 5:30 or 6:00 p.m. and then the evening worship service convenes about 8:00 p.m. and usually is over around 9:00 or 9:30 p.m. After a canteen break they return to the worship center for an enjoyable time of songs, skits, video presentations or special programs and then it’s off to bed so they can rest up for another action-filled day.

MEDICAL RELEASE FORM . . . Every camper must have a medical release form completed before they can be registered and insured. Campers are required to leave all prescription medicine with the camp nurse upon arriving at camp.

INSURANCE . . . All campers are insured upon their registration at camp. The insurance covers all accidents and illnesses that occur at camp up to a maximum of $3,000.00. All accidents and illnesses must be reported to the camp nurse and she will determine whether more medical attention is necessary. Hospital and doctors are available for emergencies in Carthage, 10 miles from the camp.

CAMP FEE . . . Camp fees include all activities, meals, lodging and insurance. Things not covered by the camp fee are paddle boat rides, bookstore purchases, canteen purchases, ping pong balls, bagged ice and extra milk at breakfast.

DORM REGISTRATIONS . . . The air conditioned dorms will be filled on a first come-first served basis with preference given to churches who support the camp ministry through monthly offerings. Regular support makes it possible for the camp to have upgraded facilities. Reservations for the air conditioned dorms will be accepted beginning on May 1st each year. All other cabins are cooled with two (2) window units in them.

CABIN RESERVATION . . . When a separate cabin is requested for less than 14 campers, a $25.00 maintenance fee will be charged.

CAMP FEE STRUCTURE . . .

Cabin w/Window A/C Units
Day.................................$25.00
Week .............................$75.00

Dorms with Central A/C
Day.................................$30.00
Week .............................$85.00

Single Meal.............................$ 6.00*
Single Night ...........................$ 8.00*
Tabernacle - 1 Day................$200.00
Cafeteria - 1 Day...................$200.00

Family Reunions ..........Call for Quote

Damage Deposit ...................$250.00

*Includes Insurance