Camp La Vida: Where Faith and Missions Come to Life
Tucked away in the woods of Winnsboro, South Carolina, Camp La Vida is far more than a summer getaway. It is a place where young girls encounter Christ, grow in their faith, and develop a heart for missions that can shape the rest of their lives. For over 40 years, Camp La Vida has served churches across South Carolina as a ministry of the Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU), creating intentional space for discipleship, spiritual growth, and life-changing experiences.
Whether you are a parent, ministry leader, or someone passionate about discipling the next generation, Camp La Vida offers a glimpse into what happens when the gospel is proclaimed clearly and lived out daily.
What Is Camp La Vida?
Camp La Vida is a missions discipleship camp designed primarily for girls who have completed 3rd–12th grade, with additional opportunities available for younger girls and mother-daughter experiences. Located between Winnsboro and Chester, the camp provides an immersive, Christ-centered environment where campers are invited to grow in their understanding of God and His mission.
The mission of Camp La Vida is to provide missions discipleship education in an outdoor setting where campers can hear the gospel, respond to it, and deepen their understanding of God’s call to make Him known.
This purpose shapes everything about the camp, from the schedule and activities to the relationships formed and the truths taught.
Life at Camp: A Rhythm of Fun and Formation
One of the most unique aspects of Camp La Vida is how seamlessly it weaves together high-energy fun with intentional spiritual formation. Days are full, but they are also purposeful.
Campers participate in a wide range of activities- called “camptivities”- such as canoeing, archery, swimming, ropes courses, crafts, music, and more. These activities aren’t just about entertainment; they are opportunities for growth, challenge, and connection.
But what truly sets Camp La Vida apart is its spiritual rhythm:
Daily Bible Studies: Each cabin gathers for interactive Bible study, helping campers engage Scripture and apply it to their lives.
Guided Devotions: Campers are encouraged to spend quiet time with God, cultivating personal spiritual habits.
Corporate Worship: Worship services create space for campers to respond to God together.
Missionary Engagement: Missionaries from around the world share their stories, giving campers a tangible vision of global missions.
This balance of fun and faith formation allows campers not only to hear about God but to experience life with Him in a meaningful way.
A Heart for Missions
Unlike many traditional camps, Camp La Vida places a strong emphasis on missions education. Campers don’t just learn Bible stories, they learn how those truths compel them outward.
Through direct interaction with missionaries, campers gain insight into different cultures, people groups, and the realities of gospel work around the world. They begin to see that following Jesus is not just about personal faith, but about participating in God’s global mission.
This exposure often becomes a catalyst. Many campers leave with a deeper awareness of lostness, a burden for the nations, and a growing desire to pray, give, and go.
How You Can Get Involved
Camp La Vida is not just for campers—it is a ministry that thrives through the involvement of churches, volunteers, and individuals who believe in its mission.
1. Send Campers
One of the simplest and most impactful ways to get involved is by encouraging girls in your church or community to attend. Many churches sponsor campers or organize groups to attend together.
2. Serve on Summer Staff
Each summer, Camp La Vida hires staff who disciple campers, lead activities, and create a Christ-centered environment. Serving on staff is not just a job, it’s a ministry opportunity to invest in the next generation.
3. Volunteer Your Time
There are year-round opportunities to serve through hands-on work like maintenance, cleaning, and preparing the camp for the summer season. Volunteers of all skill levels are needed and appreciated. Volunteers are also needed throughout the summer to help with various tasks to help camp run smoothly.
4. Host Retreats or Events
Churches and ministries can also rent the camp facilities during the off-season for retreats, gatherings, or special events. The peaceful setting and well-equipped facilities make it an ideal location for ministry.
5. Pray and Give
Like any ministry, Camp La Vida depends on faithful prayer and financial support. Your prayers are so important to the work of Camp La Vida. Giving helps provide resources, scholarships, and ongoing improvements that make camp accessible and effective.
Why Camp La Vida Matters
In a cultural moment where many young people are drifting from the church and struggling with biblical literacy, spaces like Camp La Vida are more important than ever.
At camp, distractions are removed, phones are set aside, noise is quieted.
At camp, campers find:
Deep conversations about faith
Authentic Christian community
Clear teaching of the gospel and God’s mission
Opportunities to respond to God and His call
Camp La Vida creates an environment where seeds are planted, faith is strengthened, and lives are often changed.
Many who attend will point back to their week at camp as a defining moment—when they first understood the gospel, surrendered their lives to Christ, or sensed a call to missions.
Prayer Requests for Summer 2026
As the 2026 summer camp season approaches, there are many ways you can pray for Camp La Vida and all who will be part of it:
1. Pray for Gospel Impact
Ask that every camper would clearly hear and understand the gospel, and that many would respond in repentance and faith.
2. Pray for Spiritual Growth
Pray that campers would deepen their relationship with Christ and grow in spiritual maturity.
3. Pray for a Heart for Missions
Ask God to awaken a passion for the nations. Pray that campers would leave with a desire to pray, give, and go.
4. Pray for Staff and Volunteers
Lift up the summer staff and volunteers. Pray that they would walk closely with the Lord, work faithfully, and lead with wisdom and love.
5. Pray for Program Guests
Pray for the visiting missionaries as they invest in campers and staff. Pray that God will work among campers and staff through them.
6. Pray for Safety and Logistics
Pray for physical safety, smooth operations, and protection over every aspect of camp life.
7. Pray for Unity and Community
Pray that meaningful friendships would form and that campers would experience the beauty of Christ-centered community.
Final Thoughts
Camp La Vida is a reminder that discipleship doesn’t always happen in rows of chairs or structured programs. It often happens around campfires, in cabins, and on canoe docks.
It is a place where the gospel is not only taught but lived. It is a place where young girls are invited to see their lives in light of God’s greater story.
As you consider how to engage—whether by sending, serving, giving, or praying—know that your involvement is part of something much bigger: the ongoing work of God in the hearts of the next generation. For more information about Camp La Vida, visit https://camplavida.org/