By Amelia A. Pridemore
Register-Herald Reporter
BRADLEY —
The Freewill Baptist boot camp hopes to continue to grow and offer area youths an opportunity to learn skills that will make them better citizens and Christians.
The first-ever session of the weeklong camp had 10 recruits and graduated eight of those youths July 11.
Camp director Burton Dalton, who was a corporal in the 82nd Airborne, saw a need, and the idea for a Christian boot camp came to him while unable to sleep, he said. He saw several youths who had irregular home lives, lacked appropriate respect for authority and were physically and mentally lazy.
Mabscott Christian Baptist Church funded the program, allowing the recruits to experience the camp. Dalton says that each day the recruits woke at 6 a.m. and participated in physical training before breakfast. They then had a morning devotion, cleaned their barracks and spent the rest of the day doing a combination of religious and physical exercises.
Dalton, the camp’s commander, led the boys in marching drills, rappelling from 75 feet, fishing, paintball battles, general military training and learning airsoft rifle firing. With the help of Pastor Douglas Holley, minister at Mabscott Christian Baptist, the recruits learned how to pray, live and give testimony, bear witness and participate in Bible study.
Dalton points out that “many activities that are a part of being a good soldier are also necessary for being a good Christian.” For instance, “there is a proper way to dress and act in church, just like in the military.” The recruits were subject to daily uniform checks.
He also said that “many kids don’t respect their parents or their elders.” This is something he feels can be learned through Bible and military training.
At graduation, ribbons and honors were given to the campers. The camp runs under a point system similar to the military, and as the youths return and train, their rank will increase. Those who graduated this year received ribbons for completing basic training and Christian training.
Dalton points out that “the camp does not end with graduation; it will be an ongoing thing.” The recruits will get together one Saturday a month to do more training, he said, and two other churches are interesting in sending children next year.
Dalton hopes the camp will expand to include youths from other churches as well as those who might benefit from the program but are not affiliated with area churches.
Those who are interested in becoming involved with the camp can call Dalton at 304-252-8305 or 304-578-2941.
