Welcome...
Thank you for your interest in Camp Refuge! The vision of Camp Refuge was birthed over 2 years ago with the desire to see true connection happen in relationships...to see walls come down and deeper bonds to be formed. Since then, we have hosted five Rustic Romance marriage retreats and we are excited to announce the inclusion of a new retreat, Firm Foundations, in the Spring of 2020. It is designed specifically for engaged or serious dating couples who are seeking/considering marriage.
Our heart is to foster healthier, stronger relationships. Camp Refuge isn’t for one type of couple. It’s not just for the struggling or just for the strong. It’s for all seasons. We believe that by providing a safe, distraction-free environment, true vulnerability can occur.
Camp Refuge truly is “a safe haven in all seasons of life.” Let us build you up and strengthen your most important earthly relationship. You will never regret investing in your relationship.
-Kevin and Nicole Stewart, Founders of Camp Refuge
Matthew 11:28–29 (ESV): Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Events
Premarital Retreat
March 20-22, 2020
Looking for a great way to start a life-long relationship? Our Firm Foundations retreat offers engaged couples - or those seriously dating - a weekend to invest in your future marriage. Spend a weekend unplugged from the busyness of life and discover God’s plan for your closest relationship. You will experience romantic dining, couples team building, coaching sessions, worship, a bonfire and more without the distractions of everyday responsibilities. To get the most out of this weekend, phones and other electronic devices should be left behind or turned off. Space is limited, so signup today!
Husband/Wife Retreat
March 27-29, 2020
Rustic outdoors meets airy romance in this weekend retreat focused on building closer relationships between husbands and wives. It’s glamping at its finest with gourmet meals, bonfires, and times of intimate conversation without the distractions of everyday responsibilities. Topics include communication, the art of grace, and couple’s teambuilding. To get the most out of this weekend, phones and other electronic devices should be left behind or turned off. Space is limited, so sign up today!
get involved
Volunteer
"big vision. big team."
The vision of Camp Refuge far surpasses the ability of just a humble few. We need YOU! Do you know a special tradeskill like carpentry? Are you a fundraising guru? Or maybe you aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty clearing trees and underbrush? Do you like to do house keeping? The possibilities and giftings are endless. We need YOU! At each stage of the project we will contact those who fit the current need.
Donate
Sowing into tomorrow’s harvest
Camp Refuge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We need people who believe in our mission to sow financial seeds. That being said, we believe that your tithe belongs to the local church you attend. We request that any financial donation come from a desire to give beyond the tithe. Thank you for you donation! May the Lord bless you abundantly as you give from the overflow of your heart.
Future Vision
pondside Chapel
Our Pondside Chapel is symbolic of the Old Testament’s Holy of Holies. The walls of glass on three sides represent the veil that was torn granting us free access to the Father. This space is meant for personal reflection, prayer, and intimate gatherings. “And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place.” (Hebrews 10:19-20)
The Gathering
The Gathering at Camp Refuge is our main assembly building. Each day our retreats will start and end here. It is a multipurpose building that will not only host our times of worship and daily teachings, but also will also serve as our dining facility. There is also a screened-in-porch to enjoy a cup of coffee or a light lunch while taking in the peaceful surroundings.
treehouse cottages
Surrounding the pond there will be 12 treehouse cottages that are symbolic of the 12 tribes of Israel. The treehouse cabins serve as sleeping accomodations for our married couples' and pastors’ retreats. Each cabin is unique and is decorated according to the tribe it represents. The cabin features a queen sized bed, an intimate dining table, a full bathroom and a porch with its own swing and rocker.
Proposed Master Plan
Assembly
A - The Gathering
B - Pondside Chapel
C - Outdoor Amphitheater
D - Cooking Pavilion
Accomodation
E - Treehouse Cottages
F - Men’s Dormitory
G - Women’s Dormitory
H - Bath House
Adventure
I - Riverside Boat Launch
J - Splash Pad
K - Odyssey High Ropes
L - Low Ropes Course
Future
Camp Refuge
Offerings
Parent/ Teen Retreat
The teen years are a difficult time to genuinely connect for parents and their child. This retreat seeks to create a safe place for open and honest communication while building trust in the relationship.
Youth Camp
The heart behind this retreat is to establish a strong connection between youth and their Heavenly Father.
Corporate Teambuilding
Day and weekend teambuilding will be offered to businesses and organizations seeking to build a stronger connection in the workplace.
Pastor Retreat
The Pastor’s Retreat is a special time where pastors and their spouses can enjoy a little pampering with minimal fuss. It’s all about recharging your spiritual battery while enjoying a little solitude.
Facility Rental
As a secondary service, Camp Refuge is available for special events such as weddings, family reunions, corporate retreats, and church conferences.
History
Founder’s Story
"If you could do anything, what would you do?…"
That’s the question that I (Nicole) asked Kevin almost 5 years ago. Without blinking he said, “I’d start a youth camp.” It was in this moment that the dream of Camp Refuge was planted in our hearts, but we wondered if these were the visions of lofty dreamers. We had the heart. We had the passion. But were we called?
3 years later the call was received loud and clear when a man prophetically spoke over Kevin, “The Lord has given you a vision. Go for it. Because the vision is big. It is beyond you. The Lord says, ‘I’m with you on it! Go for it! Don’t waver in that vision and you will see the fruit and results of it.’”
It was in this moment that we began to run towards the vision. Each step in this journey has felt like we were cliff-jumping, but the Lord has caught us each and every time. We are in awe of His faithfulness and miraculous provision. The Lord has left us no room to doubt that He is indeed “with us on it."
Camp Refuge has become more than the simple youth camp we had originally envisioned, but the mission remains true . . . we believe in “radical transformation of relationships.” Let’s go deep together. Join us as we climb this mountain in pursuit of the Lord’s presence!
Remembering...
Each year we are in awe of all the Lord has done!
2017
Camp Refuge is born! We are incorporated in the state of Louisiana, attain federal 501(c)3 status, and launch of website and social media platform to the public.
