The Tribune

RELIGIOUS tourism continues to grow in the Bahamas as the country's only Christian sports camp - Camp Bahamas - gains momentum domestically and abroad.

The camp, located in Savannah Sound, Eleuthera, was the brain child of husband and wife duo Richard and Andrea Albury.

It was established in 1999 as the Alburys' vision to create a Christian sports camp that could host vacation Bible schools, community projects and day camps for teenagers.

Over the years, several US groups, including Ft Lauderdale's Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, have held retreats at the camp to promote spiritual growth, the camp's discipleship co-ordinator Nicholas Rogers said.

"We look at this as God's ministry," said Mr Rogers. "We just want kids, teenagers and adults to grow in the Lord. This has nothing to do with us.

"The gym gives us a lot of opportunities. It isn't as developed as we want it to be but by the end of the year, we hope that everything will be."

Camp Bahamas has six cottages, allowing it to host groups of up to 72 people. Camp activities include kayaking, skiing, tubing, baseball, basketball and paint ball competitions.

Mr Rogers described Camp Bahamas as a "Bahamian oriented ministry." He said the goal is to help as many teenagers and young adults as possible in a safe, Christian environment.