MAYWOOD CHRISTIAN CAMP is the result of prayers, dreams and numberless hours of works of love. In 1963, Howard Mays, at that time a Deacon but later an Elder of the Hamilton, AL congregation until his departure to a "better Campground" in May, 1979, offered to Jerry Jenkins, the preacher, 40 acres to develop as a youth camp. A general invitational meeting was called, with a large group coming from many places. A Board of Trustees was tentatively selected, work plans drawn up, and a large donation of cash and materials made. The first "work day" saw nearly 100 people in the woods. under the leadership and inspiration of  Jerry Jenkins, E.R. Bruce, and L.L. Moore, ground was cleared, roads built, a ball field appeared, then buildings began to rise up. There were many hours of work donated by the Marion County Supervisor, Mr. Rich, and his men.



The first session was held in 1965. A most wonderful 3 weeks were enjoyed by and attendance of about 50 campers and staff per week, under the direction of E.R. Bruce. Brother Bruce passed away in 1993. In 1966, the 5 sessions averaged about 70 per week. It has grown each year as more and more people, both young and old, have come to appreciate the influence of MAYWOOD CHRISTIAN CAMP in their lives. Campers and staff have come from the far corners of our country, as far away as California. Some have attended at least one week each summer since its beginning, or from the very earliest age they could attend. Numbers have obeyed the Gospel, learned to pray, preach, know what real Christian association is, and even found a lifetime companion among the fellow campers. Many have been encouraged to attend Christian colleges because of the influence of counselors from these schools. A much deeper realization of what it means to really worship God has been the result of the nightly devotional under the stars, standing in the "very center of God’s creation -- in our own Garden of Eden".



Physical development at this time includes" 3 Large 4 cabin building accommodating 16 campers with 3 showers in every cabin, 6 camper cabins, 2 Shower houses, Director-Nurse-Craft Lodge, spacious kitchen--dining hall, and a Canteen/Camp Store Building. We have a very large Plain of Sharon accommodating 3 game activities at one time, we have added a "beach" sand volleyball court. We have 14 class stations, a gym size pavilion with several new bleachers added and the basketball court has been concreted and leveled and we have a putt-putt golf course. There is a washeteria,  storm shelter, quarters for cooks and an Olympic-size pool. All these are the result of individual donations of money and work.