A Movement Emerges in Latvia

In 2008, the Latvian Baptist Union encountered a profound crisis: out of its 88 churches, only 66 pastors remained, with the average age of pastors reaching 70 years. This situation created a significant leadership vacuum that jeopardized the church's future and ignited a movement aimed at cultivating a new generation of leaders. In response to this urgent need, two pastors, Peteris and Kaspars, established Draft Camps (known as Forge Camp in the United States) with a daring mission: to raise up a new generation of godly men and future leaders 

The results have been transformative:

- Over 2,000 young men have completed Draft Camp.

- The Baptist Union now boasts 100 pastors and 95 churches.

- The average age of pastors has decreased to 40.

- More than half of the current pastors emerged from Draft Camp.

- Alumni are now serving as leaders in various sectors, including ministry, business, family, and community.

This transformation serves as the cornerstone upon which DRAFTS Camp is founded.

WHY DRAFTS CAMP MATTERS

The Critical Developmental Window: Ages 14–19. Research indicates that the teenage years are crucial for shaping identity, direction, and long-term character. During this formative period, many young boys grapple with existential questions such as, “Who am I?” “What is my purpose?” and “What kind of man will I become?” DRAFTS Camp is intentionally crafted to engage with these pivotal questions. We believe that young men flourish when they are challenged, supported by brotherhood, guided by mentors, and invited into a vision that transcends their individual aspirations.

What Does It Mean to Be a Godly Man?

In today's culture, messages about masculinity are often mixed, leaving many young boys without a clear vision of manhood. However, the Bible presents a compelling and distinct vision for what it means to be a man, exemplified in the life of Jesus.
Godly men are both strong and compassionate, embodying truth and grace.
They lead with courage and humility, prioritizing the service of others over self- interest. Rather than seeking comfort, they embrace challenges. They recognize their need for Jesus and for fellowship with one another; as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
At DRAFTS Camp, our mission centers on instilling a sense of biblical manhood in boys and young men.

OUR MISSION

Recruit, train, and challenge young men to
become godly leaders who take
responsibility and leave a lasting impact on
society for the Kingdom.
DRAFTS Camp is dedicated to equipping
young men to:
1. Understand the gospel
2. Develop deep, Christ-like character
3. Discover their calling and purpose
4. Envision a future in the church and
leadership

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OVER LECTURE-BASED INSTRUCTION

DRAFTS Camp offers an immersive,
rigorous, and transformative experience.
Participants learn through active
engagement in:
Challenging physical activities
Leadership assignments
Team exercises
Mentorship conversations
Real-time feedback from trained leaders
Every activity is meticulously designed to
foster maturity, resilience, and responsibility
in young men.