In 1981, Coy and Sybil Bolton and a group of friends made a trip to "the country" to clean out a chicken coop on Coy's old homeplace. Their desire was to have a place where churches could come to camp without the burden of great expenses. They poured a floor, built some bathrooms, and started "Bolton Camp," known to most campers now as "Coop Camp."

In 1991, an eight acre lake was built, giving the campers a place to swim, fish, take a boat ride, and enjoy the scenery. A ball court was later poured as a mission project from a church in South Carolina. Since then, numerous churches and youth groups have given their time, money, and energy to bless the camp with remodeling, painting, building, and renovating the facilities.

In January of 1992, Turk and Beth (Bolton) Holt and their two year old daughter, Kala, moved from Atlanta to run the camp as a full-time ministry. Two more children, Luke in 1994 and Isac in 1997, have blessed their home and all three children work, counsel, cut grass, serve meals, and do anything needed to help at the camp. A new dining hall was built in 1993. This is now the place where countless chicken fingers and bowls of hot fudge cake have been enjoyed! With its large fire place, rustic atmosphere, and front porch full of rocking chairs, it is a "get-away" from the busy pace of people's hectic schedules.

There is a three acre field for outdoor recreational activities, lots of hiking trails, and a beautiful waterfall on the property. In 2001, a game room was added, which is a favorite hang out for the campers.

Things have changed a lot from the original coop with no air conditioning or heat, putting up sheets to divide sleeping spaces, nailing up screens to keep out the mosquitos, and taking cold showers (well, that still happens sometimes). However, one thing hasn't changed. This is still a place dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ and it is still the desire of this ministry to bless the local church, share the gospel with the lost, encourage and disciple the saved, and bring the utmost glory to our Heavenly Father.

Hundreds of children, youth, and adults arrive throughout the year to get refreshed, to be challenged, and to draw near to God. It is a joy to have people return and share testimonies of being saved or changed at "The Coop."

Web site designed and maintained by Michael J. Reaves, MCP