Rustic Youth Camp was begun about four decades ago by Jackie and Bunny Richardson 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 3170 Shady Grove Road, Russellville, AL 35653, on the northern banks of Cedar Creek Lake, one of several TVA lakes in the area. The camp now hosts hundreds of young people from across the world each year in multiple camp sessions. But don't worry, the summers are still hot.
On Friday night parents and family are invited to a hot dog and BBQ supper at 5:00 PM followed by a program at 6:00 PM where each class will perform a skit of some kind and awards will be given that have been earned throughout the week.
- We're sorry, registration is closed for the 2019 season. Registration for summer 2020 opens in the spring.
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CAMPER AGES AND FEES
We take day campers (8am-5pm) ages 3 years (if potty trained) through seniors in high school.The cost for a day camper is $120 for the week. (This includes a t-shirt). Campers must be 13 years old to stay in the bunkhouse. The overnight fee is $170 (This includes a t-shirt as well).DRESS CODE
Camp is conducted with a spiritual atmosphere which includes modest apparel.
IF DRESS CODE IS NOT FOLLOWED, YOU MAY BE ASKED TO LEAVE CAMP AND CAN RETURN ONLY WHEN IN COMPLIANCE.
Pants and tops must not be tightly fitting.Skirts or pants are suitable for girls.Boys are expected to wear shirts at all times.No short skirts, short shorts, backless sundresses or blouses, tank tops, shrink tops, cropped tops, low-cut pants, or pants with large holes in the thighs.Shorts reaching below the knee when sitting are acceptable_
AMATEUR MINOR ATHLETIC WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY
In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in Rustic Youth Camp athletics/sports program and related events and activities the undersigned:
Agree that the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) will instruct the minor participant that prior to participating he or she should inspect the facilities and equipment to be used and if the participant believes anything is unsafe he or she should immediately advise his or her coach or counselor of such condition(s) and refuse to participate.Acknowledge and fully understand that each participant will be engaging in activities that involve risk of serious injury, including permanent disability and death and social and economic losses which might result not only from their own actions, inactions or negligence, but the action, inaction and negligence of others, or the condition of the premises or any of the equipment used. Further, that there may be other risks not known to us or not reasonably foreseeable at this time.Assume all the foregoing risks and accepts personal responsibility for the damages following such injury, permanent total disability or death.MEDICAL RELEASE/ACCIDENTS
At best accidents sometimes occur. Campers are not covered by medical insurance during the period that they are at the camp. Parents or guardians will accept full responsibility for all medical bills that might result from accidents other than those that can be taken care of by first aid. I hereby authorize camp personnel to administer first aid as may be needed or in case of more serious injury, to take the camper to nearest hospital emergency room (in case parents are unavailable) for such treatment as is deemed necessary. I will assume full responsibility for any medical bills that might result.
1st RYC: June 15-19, 2020
2nd RYC: June 29 - July 3, 2020
GEMS (Girls Entering Meaningful Service): July 13-17, 2020
An educational camp for young women ages 13-19YMLC (Young Men's Leadership Camp): July 27-31, 2020
An educational camp for young men ages 13-19PFT (Profitable for Teaching): October 12-16, 2020
An instructive camp for men over 18RYC Winter Camp: December 29, 2019 - January 1, 2020
A relaxed camp for teens and older. Check here for registration forms and info.For most general inquiries, the easiest method may be Facebook Messenger.
Corporate and professional inquiries should use email.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest updates.
Phone: (256) 277-9375
Please note this number is not always staffed — you'll probably need to leave us a voicemail. If it's an emergency you should call a director or staff member directly.
Email: info@rusticyouthcamp.org
Address: 3170 Shady Grove Road, Russellville, AL 35653
Response Time:
Although we try to reply as soon as possible, average response time ranges between 5 minutes and 5 days. Longer wait times have been known when the weather in Alabama is either hot or rainy.
Reasons You Might Not Hear Back from Us:
Our spam filters thought you were a Nigerian prince.Being occasionally (or often) forgetful, we think that we have responded, but we really haven’t, and we (accidentally) archived your message without responding.Your spam filter blocked our reply.GEMS (Girls Entering Meaningful Service): July 15-19, 2019
An educational camp for young women ages 13-19YMLC (Young Men's Leadership Camp): July 29 - August 2, 2019
An educational camp for young men ages 13-19PFT (Profitable for Teaching): October 14-18, 2019
An instructive camp for men over 18Winter Camp: December 2019
A relaxed camp for teens and older. Contact Vicki Russell for more info.