ENCOUNTER, GROW, & SHARE
WILDERNESS CAMP IN FORSYTH, GEORGIA
WHAT IS CAMP KALEO?
Kaleo, pronounced kal-eh’-o, is the Greek source word which Bible translators render as “called ones.”
At the Camp Kaleo Retreat Center, operated by the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, the staff is called to be in fellowship with one another as we serve and worship God. As Christians we are called to bear Christ’s name, to be transformed and to be renewed. We are called, not by our own choosing, but by God’s call. We are called to renew the Spirit of God within you, your family, and your church.
The facilities at the Camp Kaleo Retreat Center are comfortable, rustic, and have a wilderness camp atmosphere. The campus is located on 318 acres in Forsyth, Georgia, and features a lake, swimming pool, activity field, gymnasium, and trails cutting through the surrounding hardwood forest.
MEET OUR CAMP STAFF
LUKE FOSTER, CAMP DIRECTOR
Luke Foster is the camp director at Camp Kaleo. He worked as a summer staffer during college from 2001-2004. After graduation, he continued to volunteer his time to help train new staff and add new low ropes activities to camp. He spent the next 8 years serving at Shocco Springs Camp and Conference Center in Talladega, Alabama, as an event coordinator. It was there he met his wife Melody who also has a heart for camp ministry. They were married by Shocco Lake in 2018. At Kaleo, staffers are known by camp nicknames. So to the Kaleo family, Luke is "Finn." He and Melody (camp name "Luna") live on campus at Kaleo with their infant son Charley (who has yet to receive a camp name), and their dog Mayer.
Luke loves that Jesus uses camp to change lives. In the unique setting of summer camp, kids come to know Christ and learn to follow his leadership. He loves watching staffers pour into kids and grow themselves, being equipped for ministry and leadership after camp. It is the desire of Luke's heart that God would use him and his leadership to nurture the work of life change here at Kaleo.
ROGER PEARSON, CAMP SUPPORT
God called our family into camping ministry at a small group Bible study hosted in our Pennsylvania home. He placed two camp directors in our group. Our family would help with projects at their camps – these projects filled our hearts with joy. We started praying for a position in camping ministry. Several years later, which included a move to Alabama, we sent our sons to Royal Ambassador camp at Kaleo. When the director, Mike Flowers, gave us a call asking for Roger’s résumé, we were filled with much anticipation that God was answering our prayers. Our lives have been greatly blessed being a part of this Georgia Baptist Mission Board ministry. Roger’s main responsibility at Kaleo, is to create a safe, clean, fun and wholesome environment. His favorite thing about Camp Kaleo is seeing the Lord at work in people’s lives—building, changing, healing, growing relationships. Whether the relationship is between youth, parent/child, staff/staff or staff/camper these positive relationships help develop confidence, love, spiritual growth and a Godly support system. We could not have imagined the wonderous plans God has had for our lives.
The Pearson Family has served at Camp Kaleo since March 2005. Roger & Louise have four sons, Warren (Daughter-in-love Brooke, precious grandchild Wrenley/ Paw-paw’s sweetie pie), Stephen, Jacob and Luke.
Jesus changes lives at camp kaleo
OUR VISION & MISSION
Our Vision is for children, youth, and adults to ENCOUNTER JESUS, be discipled in or GROW IN JESUS, and learn how to SHARE JESUS while they are at Camp Kaleo.
We believe that Jesus changes lives at Camp. Our summer program seeks to cultivate, grow, and spread Christ in the lives of our campers. We desire to see them not only come to know Jesus, but also to be called to share him in their neighborhoods, the US, and all around the world.
The Camp Kaleo Retreat Center is available for bookings throughout the year for church groups. We provide a great retreat setting for children, youth, college, and adults. The primary use of the Camp Kaleo Retreat Center is a summer camp, primarily June and July for the Royal Ambassador ministry of Georgia Baptist Men’s Ministry. Other groups, such as churches, youth, and families, are welcome to plan Summer Camp retreats at Kaleo during this time period. The Camp Kaleo Retreat Center staff looks forward to providing the action for your groups.
From the desk of the
CAMP DIRECTOR
Jesus changes lives at camp. That is the beating heart of Camp Kaleo. My desire is to see campers and guests ENCOUNTER Jesus, GROW in Jesus, and learn to SHARE Jesus. That has always been an integral part of our DNA here. Over the years we have seen campers go on to be staffers and staffers go on to be called into missions, ministry, and countless leadership positions. Camp Kaleo is a place for life change and a place to hear God's calling.
We look forward to seeing you here at camp!
- Luke Foster
Camp Director