Summer 2014 · Ages 11–18
In the summer of 2014, campers ages 11 to 18 at Camp Swamp in Georgia, USA, the camp where the Swamp Camp model began, were asked what camp had meant in their lives. Across six weeks of camp, 711 campers answered. The 157 who had become disciples of Jesus answered two more questions about their faith.
average influence of camp on their life, from 711 campers. 81% rated it 7 or higher.
of disciples ranked camp among the top 3 influences on their decision to follow Jesus. Another 11% ranked it #1.
average influence of camp on staying faithful to Jesus since becoming a disciple, from 157 disciples.
Question 1
8.1 average · 711 campers
Low influence ← score out of 10 → high influence
| Score | Campers | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 2 | 2 | 0.3% |
| 3 | 15 | 2.1% |
| 4 | 15 | 2.1% |
| 5 | 37 | 5.2% |
| 6 | 65 | 9.1% |
| 7 | 97 | 13.6% |
| 8 | 129 | 18.1% |
| 9 | 163 | 22.9% |
| 10 | 187 | 26.3% |
Question 2
157 disciples answered
| Ranked camp | Disciples | Share |
|---|---|---|
| #1 influence | 17 | 10.8% |
| Top 3 | 86 | 54.8% |
| Top 5 | 38 | 24.2% |
| Top 10 | 16 | 10.2% |
Question 3
7.0 average · 157 disciples
Low influence ← score out of 10 → high influence
| Score | Campers | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 1.3% |
| 2 | 4 | 2.5% |
| 3 | 13 | 8.3% |
| 4 | 5 | 3.2% |
| 5 | 12 | 7.6% |
| 6 | 16 | 10.2% |
| 7 | 28 | 17.8% |
| 8 | 27 | 17.2% |
| 9 | 33 | 21.0% |
| 10 | 17 | 10.8% |
Source: Camp Swamp camper survey, all six weeks of summer camp 2014.
In Their Own Words
From handwritten thank-you cards at Swamp Camps in India and Cambodia (2025) and Malaysia (2026). Many of today’s counselors were yesterday’s campers.
“Swamp has been a part of my life for the past 10 years… I have grown up at Swamp & I will always cherish that I did so. Swamp has taught me a lot of things, it brings me closer to Jesus & also myself. Nothing can ever replace what this one week means to me.”
“It was truly amazing to see how the kids grew curious about God as the days went by.”
“Swamp camp is a heaven on earth to me… Swamp healed me from my past and give me a place to be who I am. I sing, dance, laugh, cry & love more than I ever before.”
“My daughter is a 17 years old disabled girl child. She is on wheelchair because of her disability… At home she is alone. But in this Swamp Camp she got so many children of her age… Swamp Camp gave her love, care, and lessons from the Bible.”
“Through Swamp, I've learnt that the struggles I went through as a 12 years old didn't go in vain. Because I get to tell my campers they're not alone… I didn't hear that when I was young, but now I know I can make sure no kids have to go through lives thinking they're alone.”
“Camp has always been a safe place for me to learn & make my mistakes… This is the closest I can be with God. This place, these people have changed my life.”
“Swamp changed my daughter. Show herself, don't be shy, have a friendly relationship… Thank God for Swamp Camp.”
“I saw a space where people feel safe to share, be vulnerable, and to be themselves.”
One week can change a life. One week can change the world.