About Us

Disciples Crossing Camp and Conference Center is a beautiful non-profit campground situated on 534 wooded acres outside Athens, Texas, between Tyler and Corsicana.

Since 1947 we've welcomed over 340,000 guests through our gates for retreats, summer camps, outdoor education, weddings, leadership training, family reunions, & more.

Our facilities consist of dorm-style sleeping quarters, meeting rooms, a dining hall, and numerous outdoor recreation options including a swimming pool, multiple lakes, sports equipment and fields, and more.

Disciples Crossing consists of two separate camps split by highway 31: the "Main Camp" and "Creative Camp". The Main Camp is our original property on the east-bound side of the road where our office is located and most events take place. The Creative Camp offers a more rustic camp experience with screened-in shelters, RV hookups, and more, on the west-bound side of highway 31.

We offer guests programming that supports our organizational mission through faith-based and age-appropriate curriculum, as well as facilities rentals for groups that wish to provide their own programming.

Our History

The Christian Youth Foundation (Disciples Crossing) was originally a private retreat, Camp Underwood, owned by Arch and Minnie Underwood. Camp Undy, as it was affectionately named, was host to an impressive guest list including numerous state and national politicians and the origins of the Southwestern Conference coaches.

The Underwood family sold the property in 1946 to several districts of the Northeast and North Texas Areas of the Christian Church and the Christian Youth Foundation was founded. The Trinity Brazos Area bought into the camp as well in 1978. In the year 2000, the Board of Directors decided to re-name the camp Disciples Crossing.

Expansion and new construction projects have been ongoing on the camp’s 534 acres. Our oldest structures, the Lodge and the Peach Shed, were originally constructed in the 1920s!

Our Mission

Disciples Crossing, a ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), exists to provide a place of sanctuary and retreat for people of all ages to experience God through rest, renewal, fellowship, and spiritual enrichment.

Our Staff

Disciples Crossing is overseen by a Board of Directors made up of representative members of the congregations that own the camp. Our facilities and programming are managed by on-site staff, including the team below, and a rotating list of summer interns, lifeguards, and food service team!

Our Location

We recommend that you use Google Maps or GPS at your own risk. We have found that those directions are not always accurate and often confuse our guests, though they have improved in recent years.

Directions to the Camp from Fort Worth and Dallas:

From Fort Worth, take I-20 East to Dallas. From I-20 in Dallas take Hwy 175 South to Athens. In Athens take Loop 7 East to Hwy 31E. You will turn left toward Tyler and away from Downtown. Take Hwy 31E approximately 1 mile and the camp's main entrance is on the right.

Directions to the Camp from Houston:

From Houston take I-45 north to Corsicana. In Corsicana take Hwy 31E to Athens. In Athens take Loop 7 North to Hwy 31E. Take Hwy 31E approximately 1 mile and the camp is on the right.

Directions to the Camp from Tyler:

From Tyler take Hwy 31W to Athens. Two miles West of Murchison you will see the main entrance to the camp on the left.

Directions to the Creative Camp:

The Creative Camp is on the opposite (west-bound) side of Highway 31 from the Main Camp (east-bound). You will see another entrance and gate with a large sign that says "Creative Camp" on it. Most events are held at the Main Camp, unless otherwise noted in registration materials.