Mission

Hidden Acres is a Christian Camp and Retreat whose mission is to be a place set apart to experience Christ, expand community, and equip leaders.

Vision

Our vision is to impact lives and develop leaders with a Christian worldview and Christ-like leadership.

Two Pillars:

Reaching Children and Youth with the Love of Christ
Equipping Believers to Grow and Lead

Reaching Children and Youth with the Love of Christ

We believe the camp setting is a powerful place for children and youth to encounter their Creator, grow in faith, and hear Biblical truths in ways that stay with them for life. Studies show that most people come to Christ between the ages of 4 and 14, making these years the most receptive window for the gospel.

Camp ministry is one of the most effective means of reaching children during this critical stage, and we are committed to sharing the love of Christ with them.

We also hold a special commitment to making camp available for those who may not otherwise be able to attend, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow closer to God.

“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14)

Equipping Believers to Grow and Lead

As a parachurch ministry, we desire for our facilities to be used year-round to encourage and strengthen fellow believers in their walk with Christ. We believe all followers of Jesus are called to build one another up in the faith (1 Thessalonians 5:11), and we accomplish this by creating spaces and opportunities for discipleship and leadership development.

During the summer, we equip both campers and staff to grow spiritually and develop as leaders. Throughout the school year, our educational program, Camp Skholē, continues this work of discipleship, while our young leaders retreats provide intentional time for growth.

Additionally, we partner with churches and ministries by providing a beautiful, Christ-centered environment where believers can gather, retreat, and grow together in community.

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

History

Hidden Acres Christian Camp and Retreat Center was founded in 1984 by Pastor Charles Diffee and a group of visionaries who believed deeply in the life-changing power of Christian camping. Their dream was to create a place where people could step away from the distractions of daily life and encounter God in a fresh, powerful way. That dream became reality when 200 untouched acres in Kaufman County were purchased with the support of Metropolitan Bible Church and friends of Rev. Diffee.

The Decade of Beginnings (1984–1994)
The early years saw the first camps held in tents, the clearing of land for a seven-acre lake, and the construction of Leo Lodge, the first major building on site.

The Decade of Development (1994–2004)
Growth accelerated with the construction of the Margaret Camp Conference Center. In 1995, Hidden Acres partnered with the Kiwanis Club of Pleasant Grove to host a camp for children from that community—a program later renamed Jerry’s Dream Camp in 2007 to honor Jerry Diffee. A new entrance and front gate, donated by board member George Grogan in 1999, marked the expanding vision for the ministry.

The Decade of Vision (2004–2014)
In 2007, Hidden Acres launched Mission Camp, welcoming refugee children from Dallas to experience summer camp. This outreach has since grown to include campers from many underserved backgrounds, broadening the ministry’s impact.

The Decade of Growth (2014–2024)
With Tim Carpenter becoming Executive Director in 2017, Hidden Acres entered a new season of growth. The Martineck Cabin (2018) expanded capacity with 40 new beds, and the Welcome Center (2019) provided needed office space, a conference room, and guest reception. Educational programs also flourished, with the launch of OAKS in 2015 and Camp Skholē in 2022, equipping students with Christ-centered learning experiences.

Encounter Christ. Build community. Be forever changed.

Today, Hidden Acres is still “a place set apart,” where guests step away from daily life to encounter Christ, enjoy His creation, and grow in faith and community. For over forty years, our mission has remained the same: to share the Gospel, show Christ’s love, and see lives transformed.