The Pecos River Encampment is a church camp located between Iraan and Sheffield, Texas along Highway 349 just a few short miles north of Interstate 10 in West Texas. The camp is run by members of the Church of Christ, primarily by the Sheffield congregation, but operated with the help of church members from all over that come every year. The camp has traditionally run for one full week every year starting the third full week of June [Father's Day], and ends on the afternoon of the following Sunday.
The last several years have seen the camp operate several days of the following week to host our Spanish - speaking brothers and sisters from various places around West Texas. Their encampment usually runs three days, Thursday through Saturday, [just prior to the July 4th weekend].
There are several interesting things about this camp that will no doubt spur your curiosity. This camp is funded by contributions of the church during the week there, and most of the food and other costs are provided by a number of area ranchers. This camp is at no cost to anyone who wishes to attend. There is only a minimal insurance charge for the week which is usually around the $6.00 range. This is amazing in this day of high costs. This is a week of being spiritually uplifted, and makes an ideal vacation for the Christian.
Another interesting fact is the age of this camp. It is well into its 63rd year of operation. It was first held in 1944 along the banks of Independence Creek, south of Sheffield, but has been at the current site since World War II.
Every year sees a new group of people at the encampment, many are from around the immediate area, some drive from as far as Arizona and California to attend. There is a core group of people who have attended the camp all their lives, others who have come to love the encampment who make it part of their yearly vacation. Usually there is a group of new folks that are just attending for the first time. There is a great diversity of ages, from the very young children and babies to the very old and every point in between.
The Pecos River Encampment is home to members of a body of believers whose values still reflect those of a simpler time when things were a more conservative, families more closely bound, and moral values took precedence in the lives of people. People who come here make friendships that last their entire lifetime. Old friends gather to reunite year after year, some have attended since their earliest childhood. The encampment is free from the rush and noises of life elsewhere, free from television, booming cars, and other distractions. Here is a place to "Get away from it all", and a time to be study God's Word and to filled with the Holy Spirit.
This camp is rugged and rustic, set in the hills of West Texas, along the banks of the Pecos River. But it's that ruggedness that gives it its great ambience. Many of the old cabins were the original ones built in the early 1940's. Pictures on this site show buildings which appear largely unchanged by the years. There's a lot of history here! In addition to the cabins and dorms, there are RV hookups which are free; kids from ages 11 thru 18 stay in the dorms. There are devotionals held in the dorms each night prior to time for the lights to go out. Other people stay in the cabins or in their own campers and RV's. Space along the northern portion of the camp is being cleared out for additional cabins to be built. Some families have opted to build their own cabins to use year after year, the more modern constructs consist of cinder-block over concrete slab with metal roofs, with a few new all-metal buildings here and there. The cabins are mostly privately owned by families, with the exception of the cabins for the preacher, song leader and nurse and their families.
The Texas heat can be a serious consideration if you aren't used to this part of the country. Temperatures often reach and exceed the 100F mark. However, the dorms and several of the permanent cabins are cooled by evaporative coolers, there are a number of shaded areas so it's easy to find a cool spot during the heat of the afternoon. The nights and early mornings are generally comfortable, and can get down-right cold. The afternoons can get very hot, and may not cool until late evening. There are times the camp is blessed with a rainy week, days are very cool and comfortable - you may even find yourself hunting a jacket!
Another interesting thing about this camp (and you are hereby warned!) is that there is only cold running water, there are few warm showers to be found, unless you find a friend who has a water heater in their RV (Good luck...!). So it's time to brace yourself, grit your teeth, grab the soap and jump in! Actually, I have found that the cold showers really help to beat the heat and usually find myself taking at least two during the day, depending on how active I've been.
Since much of the food is donated by ranchers, goat meat is on the menu from time to time. It is really good, and you don't find it often anywhere else. So if you've never tried it before, it's a great break from the run-of-the-mill. There was a time not so many years ago when it was served every meal! Women will love that the men do all the cooking, making of tea, and all the dishwashing! The food is really good in spite of that fact and there is great fellowship for everyone when it's time to eat!
Recreation is an important part of the camping experience - it is a time for good sports involvment and fellowship, and there are some once-in-a-lifetime events to take part in. The usual faire is made up of softball and volleyball; but there is pillow-polo, and special focus on the littler campers' activities as well. But for the real camper - the past has seen some pretty interesting sports: a shaving-cream war, a 4-way tug-of-war over a 15' mud pit, and a large-scale slip-and-slide for the bigger bunch, which included body surfing (of a sort - one person slid down on his stomach, while another jumped on and 'surfed' him down the track). Every year holds a new surprise for those who are daring souls and forever kids at heart.
The most important thing to note is the Pecos River Encampment is all about a great spiritual and worshipful atmosphere. There are Bible classes for all ages, worship services with clear and concise gospel preaching, and singing services throughout each day, as well as fun recreation times both morning and afternoon. The importance and authority of God's Word is emphasized; there are Bible classes for every age. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the scheduled activities. Several go into either Sheffield or Iraan during the warm afternoons to swim in the local pools (which are excellent, by the way) while giving their laundry a spin cycle or two.
All in all, it's a great place to come and you will find it's a wonderful and life-changing experience. Maybe even an eternity-changing one at that! Come join us!
