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Thomas Road Outpost

Thomas Road Baptist Church, A Legacy of Life Changing Camps

For over 50 years, Thomas Road Baptist Church (TRBC) has offered powerful camping experiences for young people. It began in the late 1960s with Treasure Island, a donated property on the James River that hosted over 400 campers weekly. Over the years, thousands came from across Virginia, and many found Christ there. However, in 1985, a flood destroyed the island and its bridge. The site remains vacant today.

In the late 1990s, TRBC launched Camp Hydaway, a smaller camp that still operates today, serving 96 campers weekly. Camp Hydaway offers breakout sessions on topics such as apologetics, missions, relationships, and Biblical doctrine. Each day ends with small group sessions that build personal connections and spiritual growth. Every summer, TRBC receives far more requests than it can accommodate, turning many away due to limited space.

Simplified illustration of a paw print with an oval-shaped pad and five toes.
Simplified illustration of a paw print with an oval-shaped pad and five toes.

Treasure Island 1960’s

Simplified illustration of a paw print with an oval-shaped pad and five toes.

Camp Hydaway 1987

Dotted gold-colored cursive writing spells out the word "love" on a transparent background.

A New Chapter Thomas Road Outpost

In 2014, TRBC received a 500-acre property in the Peaks of Otter (Blue Ridge Parkway) from Watt Foster of Foster Fuels, in honor of his father. This land became Thomas Road Outpost (TRO), a new camp focused on reaching at-risk youth from Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, Maryland, and the D.C. area.

TRO now reaches thousands each year with a Christ-centered experience in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It features nearly two dozen recreation options and hosts middle and high school students (and adults) for retreats, worship, and discipleship. Daily worship services include music, expositional preaching, drama, and video—all focused on the Gospel.

Simplified illustration of a paw print with an oval-shaped pad and five toes.
Two men in suits shaking hands across a table during a formal event, with a large screen displaying a colorful landscape behind them. Watt Foster and Pastor.

Pastor Jonathan Falwell and Watt Foster

Two smiling girls leaning out of an off-road vehicle in a wooded area, with another vehicle in the background.

Our Mission

Thomas Road Outpost exists to capture the hearts of individuals with the love of Christ through biblical teaching, outdoor adventure, and exploration of God’s creation.

Our mission sets the stage for every program and activity we develop, support, or manage at Thomas Road Outpost. We are confident that as we work closely with Christ-followers to love God and love people, we will see a revolutionary change in the world.

TRO is transforming lives and pointing future generations to Christ.

We build upon that mission with six core values. These core values focus our staff’s and volunteers’ energies on ministering to a hurting world. Everything we do flows out of these core values.

Simplified illustration of a paw print with an oval-shaped pad and five toes.