Since Camp McCall began nearly 65 years ago, young men have been trained to become Christian leaders — as campers, counselors, and staff members.

Camp McCall is a summer camp experience for boys between first and twelfth grades. Founded in 1960, Camp McCall provides age-appropriate cabins and activities for campers, partners them with chaperones, and prepares campers to have adventure, adversity, and accountability in their lives. This summer, 2,371 campers participated at Camp McCall, with 217 making decisions for Christ. 

McCall staffers help run the camp while simultaneously learning what it means to be influential leaders for Christ. Over the years, campers have returned time and time again. Some became staffers. Some grew into fathers who brought their own sons to camp — beginning a legacy of young men following in their father’s footsteps. 

This summer, over 25% of the current staff at Camp McCall are the sons of former staff members. “Would you believe my son’s first camp counselor is the son of my first camp counselor?” Will King, former Camp McCall camper, asked. “The other cabin counselor is the youngest son of a longtime friend. It’s amazing to see how God works.” 

“It’s a special place,” King added. “To be able to experience that with my son is something that I’ll always remember.”

A Legacy Formed

This summer, Camp McCall had 12 legacy staff members whose fathers had also been on staff. Four of those fathers are involved in full-time vocational ministry, including Brian Spearman, pastor of Marietta First Baptist Church. 

“I started going to Camp McCall when I was in the first grade. My father was a pastor my whole life,” Spearman stated. “I can remember the first time I went to Camp McCall. Dad drove me and two of my buddies from our church to Camp McCall in his brown Ford Ranger that didn’t have air conditioning.”

At Camp McCall, counselors receive affectionate nicknames. “My dad pastored at camp for almost 30 years. They knew him as ‘Rabbi.’ And I still remember my first two staffers: ‘Fufu’ and ‘Hush.’ I’m still close with them.”

Prepared for Ministry

One of Spearman’s first camp counselors, Matt “Spinner” Allen, is now the Director of Camp McCall. Allen mentored Spearman over the years, and when Spearman graduated high school, he went to work with him at Camp McCall for six summers. 

“Camp McCall built me in so many different ways. It just prepared me for life,” Spearman added. “It taught me my love of international missions. Even in those small moments, doing devotions with the campers as an 18-year-old prepared me for a livelihood in ministry.”