Session 2: June 7th - 13th
OUR SESSION'S HISTORY
Our session of camp
...began in 1961 at the HEB camp in Leakey, Texas and was originally called "Singing Hills" In 1967, we found a permanent home on the Bandina property located between Bandera and Medina, Texas. Clifton Rogers and “Papa Brown” were the first two directors of this session. They instituted many of the rules and “camp structure” that we still have today. Some things have changed over the last six decades: the facilities have been upgraded (many remember the years without A/C!), new faces join us each year, and the food has vastly improved! Our mission, however, remains the same—to bring young people to Christ.
Beginning in the mid 1970's, Cecil Huston, Sr. became our camp director. Cecil loved the kids at camp. This was evident in his leadership, preaching, and song leading. A faithful member of the Lord’s church, he ensured camp was a place where the word of God was proclaimed and young people could develop into lifelong disciples of Christ. In 2015, Cecil passed on to his reward. He served at camp for a total of 53 years.
You cannot tell the history of this session without mentioning faithful men like Johnnie Laman, Farmer Krejci, Ralph Bryant, and David Todd, who worked to make camp what it is today – a respite for young people from the world, a sanctuary to grow in God’s word. They taught classes, served as camp board members, and made lifelong impacts on the campers they counseled. There are numerous others that could, and probably should, be included here. Countless individuals have impacted our session as counselors, teachers, cooks, and campers. Camp would not be what it is without the faithful and dedicated Christians that choose each summer to sacrifice their time and energy to spend a week with us.
At Bandina, we are rooted in tradition, for the better. Our schedule has remained relatively the same for the last 60 years. Each day at camp, we dedicate about four hours to studying the Bible through devotional periods, Bible classes, and worship. The singing at camp is, and always has been, beautiful. There is no sweeter sound than 400 Christians praising the Lord through singing. We end each singing period, and each week, singing “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” Started by Cecil Hutson, Sr., it is a wonderful tradition that many look forward to each year. Each night after worship, we spend time as a camp together doing various activities. Monday night has always been Ticks and Chiggers, an exuberant game with a questionable points system. Tuesday is the Bandina Olympics. Although this has changed location and form in the past 60 years, we still include the egg toss and tug-of-war. Wednesday is the hike, Thursday is Talent Night, and then Friday, we reflect on the past 6 days and present awards.
Camp was and is a place of deep relationships that span generations. It is not uncommon to meet a camp staff member who grew up coming every summer as a camper. You may even meet someone who came to camp before they could walk! The relationships made at camp are long-lasting and life changing. Most importantly, camp is a place where young and old alike establish and strengthen their relationship with the one who matters most, Jesus Christ.
