Celebrating 80 Years!
The History of Camp Copass
Camp Copass began with the Women’s Missionary Union in April 1946. The women of the Baptist Convention’s WMU raised the money to purchase 66 acres of land, believing God could use camp ministry in powerful ways.
Leading the group was Crickett Copass, president of the WMU — lovingly known as “Lady Crickett.” She believed missions could be taught not just in church but at camp, through shared experiences. Churches began bringing their youth for summer camp, and before long, the place was officially named Camp Copass in her honor.
After nearly 80 years the grounds are still buzzing. Every year, over 39,000 campers come through the gates. They laugh, they worship, they pray, they make lifelong friends and they make big life decisions too.
At Camp Copass, people find hope. They learn to hear from The Lord. They share their faith. They discover what it means to disciple others and be discipled. And somewhere between chapel, rec time, and late-night events, God changes hearts in unforgettable ways.
Growing Through the Years
From that original 66 acres, Camp Copass has grown into a campus full of life and activity.
Today we have:
A 50-unit Retreat Center (hotel-style comfort!)
A 32-unit Motel and Conference Center
12 dorms — 7 with kitchen units
Space for up to 824 campers in the summer and 728 during retreat season
8 RV hookups
In 1997, we added a recreation pavilion with two basketball courts.
In 2004, an 18-hole miniature golf course joined the fun.
Thanks to expansion and renovation in 2005, our dining hall now feeds more than 600 campers at once.
Dorms like Faith, Peace, Happiness, and Amazing Grace have been refreshed and remodeled. In 2011, the Tally Retreat Center was completed, roads were paved, and Angel Conference Center received updates.
In 2013, we added a sand volleyball court and the ever-popular GaGa pits — which have seen some serious competition over the years.
Hope Dorm opened in 2021, and in 2024, Victory Dorm added 56 more beds — making room for even more campers, memories, and moments. Faithful donors and churches invested in more than buildings — they invested in changed lives.
Camp Copass continues to be a place where faith grows, friendships form, and fun is never in short supply.
And we’re just getting started.
For a couple of years, the camp was known as North Texas Baptist Conference Center. The name was confusing and did not catch on, so in 2005 it changed back to Camp Copass.
We serve four Southern Baptist Associations: Cooke, Denton, Harvest, and Palo Pinto. The Board of Directors is elected by each association.
Weekend and week-long retreats and conferences are held year-round by many denominations and various secular groups. In the summer, there are ten weeks of camp, some of which bring over nine hundred people who are ready to hear the good news about Jesus.
God has blessed Camp Copass, and it is our desire to bless each person we have the opportunity to serve.