Bryan College announced that the school is now the owner of the Fort Bluff Camp property located in Dayton. Under the new agreement, the college will own the land and buildings while leasing the property back to Fort Bluff Camp and the National Association of Christian Athletes (NACA) for its day-to-day operation and management.
“This is an exciting day and opportunity for Bryan College,” said Dr. Stephen Livesay, president of Bryan College. “With this comes responsibility to faithfully continue the camp’s mission of sharing the Gospel through many venues.”
NACA is headquartered at Fort Bluff, and in June, the NACA Board voted to transfer the property’s land ownership to Bryan College.
The 72-acre property is host to more than 14,000 people annually and hosts a variety of faith-based camps, retreats and NACA-sponsored athletics tournaments. Fort Bluff’s mission is to “transform youth through the Word of God so they will impact communities for Christ.”
The property is used year-round and includes a wide array of facilities such as an air-conditioned gymnasium, 600-seat auditorium, 250-foot water slide, four football fields and housing for more than 800 campers which includes a 250-bed lodge. Fort Bluff is seated on Dayton mountain overlooking the Tennessee River Valley and located roughly six miles from Bryan’s campus.
“Fort Bluff Camp and Bryan College support each other and will help each other reach mission objectives,” said Dave Sekura, executive director of Fort Bluff Camp. “I look forward to our partnership going forward.”
While Bryan College is now the official owner, its involvement with Fort Bluff dates back to 2009, when it was selected to oversee the camp’s operation. Among the main actions the college took was to hire an executive staff and create a new NACA board.
Since then, the camp’s yearly attendance has more than doubled and continues to expand its reach into the community and across the country. Officials from Bryan College and Fort Bluff camp want to spread the word that the property is well equipped to facilitate Christian camps, retreats, and athletic contests.
“We anticipate a long and healthy relationship with NACA that continues to make a difference in today’s world through sharing the good news of Jesus Christ,” Dr. Livesay said.