After much thought and prayer this past fall on how to best continue offering Excellence in Christian Camping to our summer campers and retreat guests, we’ve decided to move forward with constructing a swimming pool! Water has been an important part of Frontier Camp’s recreational focus since the very beginning and the new pool will build on this.
Artist rendering of new pool concept. (The deck chairs say “condo” a little more than “camp,” but you get the idea of what it will look like.)
We know you have lots of questions about the pool and waterfront safety for next summer, and we want to answer them! Check out the most common questions below.
Where is the new pool going to be?
It will be located near Houston County Lake to allow for continued ease of transition between swimming and Houston County Lake boating activities during skill classes and Bonus Activity Time for Junior Campers and lake recreation time for Teen Campers.
Will the pool have any fun features?
Of course! We know swimming with friends in itself is fun, but at camp you want to do even more! Not only are we adding brand new features such as a rock ledge jump, water climbing wall, and water basketball goal, but we’re taking camper favorites such as slides, rolling log, and the floating dock and incorporating them in to the pool design.
So basically this….
Will become this…
Same fun with friends. Same big splash. Same Texas sunshine. Just less no fish. Win-win.
What about the shaving cream slide and water games?
As long as Walmart continues to let us buy copious amounts of shaving cream each week, we will carry on with our “world famous shaving cream slide!” As we discovered last summer, having a blast at water games doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be in the water. The pool addition doesn’t take anything away from water game fun and in fact adds possibilities for new games, activities, and program options. We can’t wait to brainstorm all the fun ways to use the pool this summer!
Will you use Houston County Lake at all?
The plan for the pool is to replace the swim area at Houston County Lake. We will continue to use the lake for boating activities such as waterskiing, tubing, kayaking and canoeing. Both lakefronts (Houston County Lake and Lake Maverick) were re-opened shortly after the end of the summer and have both been used during our retreat season. Houston County Lake’s waterfront has been used for boating activities only, while Lake Maverick has utilized both the cable lake and the lagoon swimming area.
What will camper water recreation look like next summer?
The new pool will be used for swimming at Junior Camp during the Swimming activity skill class and Bonus Activity Time, and for Teen Camp during their recreation times at Houston County Lake. In addition, Teen Camp will continue to use the cable lake and lagoon and the recreation options available there. The cable lake is filled with well-water and minimizes shallow water swimming (Fossil Creek’s average depth is 7.5’ deep). Both camps will have opportunities for boating on Houston County Lake.
Will lakefront recreation be required for campers?
Parents will be given an “opt-out” option in choosing lakefront activities for their camper, and access to the lakefronts will be controlled. Campers who are allowed to participate in lakefront recreation (e.g. kayaking, water-skiing, wakeboarding, waterweenie rides, tubing etc.) will be given a wristband that gives them access to the lakes.
What non-lakefront recreation will you offer?
Lots of fun stuff! Last summer we re-discovered that camp is fun even without the lakefronts, and we are keeping some of those fun replacement activities for this summer. Already 70% of the activity skill classes, BAT options, group games, and recreational options we offer are land-based.
What new lakefront protocols are you putting in place?
We are researching protocols for monitoring water quality (e.g. temperature and indicator bacteria) for thresholds that would trigger lakefront closure due to increased risk of disease. Note that any such “triggers” would likely be more stringent than current regulatory standards for recreational water quality with which we are already in compliance.
Will all of this keep my camper safe at Frontier Camp next summer?
We recognize that placing your child into our care is a big deal, and we do not take that responsibility lightly. We want the camp experience to be fun, and recreation is an important part of our camp program, so we strive to conduct our ministry in such a way that the health and safety of our campers continues to be a number one priority, all the while praying for and trusting God for His protection and blessing. We have health monitoring protocols in place and are pursuing having ready access to the newly-approved life-saving drug miltefosine. We also want to be careful to not create the impression that we can prevent someone from being infected by amoeba while swimming in freshwater – there is no guarantee for any body of water in that regard. However, we trust that parents informed of the potential risk, however low, will make decisions based on your comfort level with that risk. Frontier Camp’s purpose is to make disciples of Jesus by sharing God’s Word in His Creation. We would love not only to provide a week of fun for your camper this summer, but also the opportunity to make an eternal difference in their lives.
How can I help?
This is the largest building project we’ve undertaken since the Fossil Creek construction, and we need your help to have it in place by this summer. Please join us in praying for the funds, weather, and construction teams to align as needed and prevent delays. Additionally, consider giving towards this project and the future of Frontier Camp. We are looking to raise $500,000 to construct this pool sure to be enjoyed by both Junior and Teen Campers. You can donate online and your gift is tax-deductible. For more information about giving towards this project contact Matt Raines at director@frontiercamp.org.
If you have further questions on what the camp program or water safety will look like next summer, we would love to talk to you more. Please don’t hesitate to contact us via phone at 936-544-3206 or email at info@frontiercamp.org. We know Frontier Camp has been an important part of many families’ lives for years and we hope you and your family will continue to make FC a part of your summer traditions.
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