Camp Akiva is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Christian youth camp who exists to serve the needs of our ministry owner, Our Father’s Children, who create positive uplifting memories for children of abuse and neglect ranging in ages 6-18, in a camp setting, weekend retreats, and in mentoring clubs with age-appropriate curriculum.

We also partner with churches and organizations to provide Christ-centered hospitality aiming to impact lives at camp. As a faith based organization, we seek to host groups that align with our religious values and advance our ministerial purpose. In addition, bookings can be permitted from non-religious, tax-exempt charitable, educational, or civic groups engaged in nonprofit activities that promote the flourishing and common good of society in a manner that is consistent with Biblical principles and with Akiva’s Statement of Faith. Groups whose purposes, beliefs, or teachings are not consistent with our Statement of Faith can be refused. Camp Akiva reserves the right to use discretion when making reservations from inquiring groups.

Our Vision is To offer every child in Texas, who has endured abuse and neglect, the HOPE of Jesus Christ in a safe and loving environment.

With the Mission being a refuge offering HOPE to children of abuse and neglect and provide Christ-centered hospitality to all age groups in a setting separate from the pressures of the world.

Statement of Faith

We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are inspired of God.  The Scriptures are the infallible Work of God, His revelation of Himself to all of creation, and the authoritative rule of faith and conduct for mankind.

We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His victorious and atoning death through His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return to power and glory.

We believe in baptism by immersion as taught in the New Testament.  Therefore, all who repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and Savior should seek to be baptized.

History

Our Father’s Children has always had a dream of a place that children of abuse and neglect could come and call home. A place with amenities for each program. A familiar place to create a sense of belonging. In the lives of these foster children, change is constant and often unwelcome. Moving from place to place, family to family, changing schools, making new friends-none of these things are easy for any child-especially a child who already feels so lost.

Camp Akiva has come about as a true miracle from God! Over the years, a number of possible camp sites were introduced to OFC. However, none of them were a perfect fit. However, a former OFC board member attended a family camp and met a representative from a group of churches who owned an existing facility known as Christian Camp of the Living Word (CCLW), which was a camp started by a group of churches in the Spring of 1973. This group was seeking a buyer – someone who could purchase the property, improve it, allow their churches to continue using it, and assure use of the facility for kingdom purposes.

OFC Meets CCLW

OFC met with CCLW at the campsite in October 2011 and discussed the opportunity. Over the course of the first half of 2012, details were negotiated and the sale consummated in the fall of 2012 and the name of the camp was changed from CCLW to Camp Akiva. Which in Hebrew means “protect” or “shelter.” Summer of 2015 was the first year Camp Akiva was fully opperational, and since then Camp Akiva has offered something to these children that many other places simply can’t: a sense of home.

Meet Camp Akiva

God has blessed this camp to be a place of shelter to many who have not experienced it in their daily lives. Camp Akiva is a safe and fun place where every person leaves revived, refreshed, and reminded of God’s greater love that offers hope to everyone.

Camp Akiva is licensed and regulated by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

For more information go to dshs.texas.gov/youth-camp-program