Stretching across Central Texas, the Edwards Plateau is filled with rolling hills, deep canyons, and wide-open starry skies. Vibrant wildflowers line the trails, while crystal-clear waters carve through the rocky valleys. Nestled away in the beautiful Texas Hill Country is Camp Eagle, where individuals have the opportunity to be fully immersed in God’s creation.
Founded in 1999, Camp Eagle was a dream that came to life through a group of friends with a passion for adventure and a handful of donors with a desire to serve. Camp Eagle exists to “inspire Christ-like change through outdoor adventure, authentic relationships, and Biblical truth.” It’s an established Christian camp, complete with intentional belief statements that demonstrate its commitment to its faith in Christ and God’s Word, offering opportunities for individuals to grow in their faith and deepen their love for the Creator of the universe.
From his early days as a spirited camper to his time as a devoted camp counselor, Matt Reed’s journey has been woven into the fabric of Camp Eagle. Matt has served as Camp Eagle’s Executive Director since 2016, but his relationship with Camp Eagle starts much earlier than that. “I first came as a camper with the very first group of kids to experience Camp Eagle in 2000,” he recalls. I quickly returned as a counselor for three summers, and Camp Eagle has been a part of my life ever since.”
Like Matt, many of the current camp counselors started their journey at Camp Eagle as eager campers. After having such incredible life-changing experiences of their own, they decided to give back to the programs that touched their lives. “Many counselors had experiences that changed them forever. They continually tell me how much it means to be part of something that feels bigger than themselves,” Matt shares. “You get to watch these kids' lives change through our mission. It’s incredibly special.”
There is a reason why Camp Eagle’s home base is situated in such a unique and beautiful location, offering a variety of experiences for campers to immerse themselves in. “I believe that adventure builds relationships faster than most anything else,” Matt shares. “And from that place of authentic relationship, all it takes is a little bit of intentionality to have deeper conversations about things that matter and why we exist. Those are the experiences that change people forever.”
Camp Eagle offers a wide range of adventures — from kayaking the clear waters of the Nueces River at summer camp, to exploring 1,400 acres of scenic Texas Hill Country, to diving into a nine-month gap year program focused on service and faith. Whatever the journey, Camp Eagle is a place to call home.
When asked what makes Camp Eagle special, Matt spoke from the heart. “It seems like God speaks louder here. To get into camp, campers drive in on a long and dusty eight-mile road. Once you drive through the water-crossing and the dust washes off of your tires, it seems like it also washes the dust off your heart. Without life's distractions, campers come ready for new experiences, new friendships, and a deeper understanding of who they are in Christ.”
At Camp Eagle, the staff aims to make every adventure one to remember, and it shows with their commitment to the campers. “We ensure that our summer staff are trained to do everything with the campers, so they can be with the campers at all times,” Matt shares. “We don’t want them to be passed along from person to person all day. We want them to have a meaningful and consistent community while they are here.”
Full-time staff live onsite year-round, creating a strong sense of community the moment campers set foot on the grounds. “Working together to bring our mission to life is really important to all of us,” Matt says. The Book of Acts describes the early Christian community and their remarkable way of life, characterized by unity and generosity —a quality that Matt ascribes to the community at Camp Eagle. “That early Christian community was a powerful display of unity of heart and mind, and we really strive for that with our full-time staff,” Matt shares.
As for what the future holds for Camp Eagle, it continues to grow. The staff is currently in the final stages of fundraising for a new on-site campus where individuals can attend summer camp in tree houses elevated among the trees.
Camp Eagle offers a chance to find freedom in the beauty of redemption, all while being immersed in God’s beautiful creation.
For more information about Camp Eagle, visit, campeagle.org/.