In the early 90s, the women in Augie Lankford’s church in Dorchester County decided to raise money to help send all the kids in the congregation to Camp Pecometh. They had no idea that they were sharing God’s grace, inspiring a career, and sending the future director of Pecometh to camp for the first time. For young Augie, who had just completed 9th grade, Pecometh ignited a flame in his heart for the power of a Christian community.
That year of camp led to a role as a junior counselor, then lifeguard, camp staff, program director, and as of 2023, Executive Director. “I have gotten a W-2 from Pecometh every year since 1994 in some capacity,” says Augie. “Once I experienced Camp Pecometh, I never looked back.”
But he is clear that Camp Pecometh has never been just about a job. According to Augie,
“The thing about Pecometh that got me from the very start was how it opened up opportunities
for me and the other campers. The staff were genuinely interested in who we were as people and treated us with incredible respect. They wanted to know about us and our opinions. We were part of a community I had never experienced before. That has never changed. Pecometh continues to inspire and help campers grow emotionally, physically and in their spiritual formation of faith.”
One of Augie’s favorite memories is meeting Reverend Charlie Barton, the interim executive director of Camp Pecometh in 1993, as a Junior counselor. “We had one 15 minute conversation at lunch. I saw him the following summer and he remembered everything we talked about the previous year. He made me feel like I was the most important person in the world.” This was definitely one of the first times Augie felt like Camp Pecometh is for everyone and everyone should be welcomed here.
As Augie prepares for his first summer as Executive Director, he looks to continue the Pecometh experience for the campers and participants coming this summer. The Galilean service, waterfront activities, counselor hunt, vespers, songs, games, and weekly jello cake are traditions that will continue for years to come. But most importantly, the opportunity to have fun in a safe place, be a part of a Christian community, and and opportunity to meet Jesus.
But he is clear that Camp Pecometh has never been just about a job. According to Augie,
“The thing about Pecometh that got me from the very start was how it opened up opportunities
for me and the other campers. The staff were genuinely interested in who we were as people and treated us with incredible respect. They wanted to know about us and our opinions. We were part of a community I had never experienced before. That has never changed. Pecometh continues to inspire and help campers grow emotionally, physically and in their spiritual formation of faith.”
One of Augie’s favorite memories is meeting Reverend Charlie Barton, the interim executive director of Camp Pecometh in 1993, as a Junior counselor. “We had one 15 minute conversation at lunch. I saw him the following summer and he remembered everything we talked about the previous year. He made me feel like I was the most important person in the world.” This was definitely one of the first times Augie felt like Camp Pecometh is for everyone and everyone should be welcomed here.
As Augie prepares for his first summer as Executive Director, he looks to continue the Pecometh experience for the campers and participants coming this summer. The Galilean service, waterfront activities, counselor hunt, vespers, songs, games, and weekly jello cake are traditions that will continue for years to come. But most importantly, the opportunity to have fun in a safe place, be a part of a Christian community, and and opportunity to meet Jesus.
“Pecometh has always been Holy Ground. For over 75 years camp has been a place of peace and play. Not only is it a place for campers to find and know themselves better, but a place to seek Jesus Christ and know Him better also. It is a safe place where all are welcome, and we want everyone to be comfortable with who they are. It is also a place where the burdens of the everyday world can be lifted, and life can calm down for a while,” says Augie.
Augie is very excited about what the future holds at Pecometh. He enjoys seeing the many generations of campers and staff he has met through the years come back and share the experience of Camp Pecometh with their own children. The Christian community continues to grow.
Topics: Camp, Transforming the World, Parenting