Rustic Youth Camp was begun four decades ago by the Richardsons in the northwestern area of Jefferson County, Alabama. The facilities consisted of one small three-room cabin, an outhouse, a fairly good well, and an antique gas refrigerator (yes, gas) and stove. All this finery was in the midst of a 40 acre burned-off strip mine. The heat was hot and the ground was dry — summers were hot then. Did we mention there was no electricity?

Shortly, the state of Alabama offered a blessing in disguise when it wanted to build a maximum security prison on the property.

Then, the camp migrated north to Franklin County, Alabama. The camp has continued to grow and the facilities now consist of a commercial kitchen and dining hall, multiple bunkhouses, classrooms, a woodworking shop, sports facilities (including a softball field, a volleyball court, a human foosball court, and a disc golf course), an outdoor stage theater, and a multipurpose building which will seat 200-300 people. The camp is so successful because of the people — the wonderful, all volunteer staff.

The camp is located at 3150 Shady Grove Road, Russellville, AL 35653, on the northern banks of Cedar Creek Lake, one of several TVA lakes in the area. No mail is received at this address.

This year's sessions have been cancelled.

For further details and updates, visit the Rustic Youth Camp blog.

Mailing Address: RYC, 17703 Brownsferry Road, Athens AL 35611

Telephone: 1-256-277-9375 (telephone not always attended)

e-mail: info@rusticyouthcamp.org

Store: RYC Store

RYC Blog: www.blog.rusticyouthcamp.org

Other Useful Links

GEMS Camp: www.gemscamp.com
An Educational camp for young ladies ages 13-18

ymlc: www.1tim412.com
An Educational Camp for Young Christian Men (ages 13–19)

Profitable for Teaching: www.profitableforteaching.com
5-day study of the Bible for men age 18 and older