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ABOUT US
ABOUT US
Our mission at Barefoot Republic is to facilitate Christ-centered relationships between individuals from diverse racial, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds through an equally diverse platform of artistic, athletic and team-building programs.
We strive to reflect God’s pursuit of
His children through interests and passions, interpersonal relationships, and equipping students with tools for exploring and discovering God’s presence in their lives.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
Barefoot Republic Camp and Retreat Center seeks to honor God and share the good news of Christ’s reconciling love with the world. We are 'inter-denominational,' looking to the Bible as our source for teaching, and addressing the basics of the Christian faith that will positively impact students from all backgrounds.
OUR NAME
Being barefoot is a sign of
vulnerability and humanity, as well
as a sign of our brokenness. It is
only when we admit that we are
barefoot, that we are able to
comprehend our need and to receive God’s provision. We consider our
cabin groups 'republics' – small
communities comprised of kids
from all nations who come together as a united family. During each session, each republic decides on its own name, working together to find common ground and quickly forging a new, common identity. Barefoot Republic Camp is a vehicle of hope. We want to offer a glimpse of Heaven to a population of kids in need of the ability to dream... to dream of what God can do with their lives by uniting them with their parents, community and the church. And, to help define His eternal purpose for each one of them.
OUR HISTORY
Barefoot Republic Camp and Retreat Center began as a vision in 1991. During that summer, Tommy Rhodes, the founder of Barefoot Republic, served as a 19-year-old camp counselor at Camp Mac outside of Birmingham, Alabama. Over the three months of camp, Tommy witnessed for the first time how God could use his life to impact the lives of others. This powerful redemption led to a restoration of hope within a young man scarred by a life filled with bad choices. Tommy left that summer with a God-sized dream and burden on his heart to provide similar opportunities to youth like himself who could not afford such experiences.
