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The usual sounds of FCA Camp—the grunts of football players going pad to pad, the bouncing of basketballs or the cheers from campers when one of their peers accomplishes something for the first time—were replaced by the roar of engines at the first FCA Motocross Camp. It’s the first camp of its kind anywhere in the United States.

The Camp was held at FCA’s National Conference Center (NCC) in Marshall, Ind. Approximately 52 campers rode around and over the .8-mile course laid out through the 530-acre facility. The age of campers ranged from 7 to 49 and included several families that saw both parents and children participate. Counting family members who came just to watch, there were 120 people in attendance.

The Camp fee included instructions in riding techniques, like cornering, breaking, starts and jumps; demonstrations from professional motocross riders like James Povolny, Shawn Clark, Brian Mason, Debbie Matthews, Ryan Sipes and Jacob Saylor. The incredible response from the campers make a second week of Motocross Camp a possibility for next year. Another possibility is enlarging this Camp. “We have a facility big enough to hold 150 kids and their parents,” said Joe Shell, executive director of the NCC. “This is a family investment. It’s a family sport.”

At the conclusion of the Camp, the campers entered the "1st Annual FCA MX Championship" at Planet X-treme in nearby Mason, Ill., The instruction seemed to work, as 14 campers took home the title of “FCA National Champion” from the weekend.

As with all FCA Camps, the week-long Camp is a combination of “inspiration and perspiration.” Campers learned more than how to navigate the dirt hills of a motocross course. They heard from fellow riders that the most important “cross” is the one on which Jesus Christ died for their sins. “Of the 52 riders, 28 of them indicated decisions for Christ,” FCA Senior Vice President Dan Britton said. “We’re excited about breaking into this sport with this Camp. It gives us an opportunity to reach an audience that no other sports ministry currently reaches.”

Mitch Barnes, the director of the FCA Motocross Camp and chairman of the NCC Board , said "We all felt a little like Peter when he got out of the boat and walked to Jesus on the water. We stepped out on faith into the 'FCA MX water' and Jesus put out His hand to save 28 souls. I was truly blessed to be associated with such a strong staff and volunteers."

When the rubber hits the dirt, the FCA MX Camp was a huge success. Lives and families were changed eternally as a result of a one-week camp. To find out more about FCA Motocross Ministry, visit www.fcamotocross.com or e-mail fcamx@fca.org.