Teenage camper dies at Falls Creek
DAVIS — A teenager who experienced a "major cardiac event" while attending a popular Christian summer camp has died, Oklahoma Baptists leader said Thursday.
The Rev. Todd Fisher, executive director-treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, informally known as Oklahoma Baptists, announced on Tuesday that a Falls Creek youth camper had experienced cardiac arrest during a camp activity. At that time, Fisher asked for prayers for the individual's recovery. Fisher said trained staff at the camp came to the youth's aid before he was rushed to a hospital.
Thursday, Fisher announced the youth's death.
"It grieves me beyond description to share with you this young man has passed away," Fisher said in his letter to Oklahoma Baptists that was posted on the website of The Baptist Messenger, Oklahoma Baptists' official news outlet.
"Our hearts are broken as we grieve this tragic loss and for his family who is experiencing unimaginable pain."
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Fisher asked Oklahoma Baptists to pray for the youth's family, church and Falls Creek staff.
No other details were given about the tragedy.
Oklahoma Baptists have offered Falls Creek youth camp sessions at Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center each summer since 1917, with few exceptions. The 1943 session was canceled due partly to a poliomyelitis outbreak, according to historical records. Factors related to World War II halted the 1944 and 1945 sessions, while the camp was cancelled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For many years, the youth camp has drawn an average of 50,000 people or more to the popular encampment in the Arbuckle Mountains. Numerous churches across the state and beyond regularly take youth groups to Falls Creek, and attending the camp is a rite of passage for many Southern Baptist youths in Oklahoma.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma teenager dies at Falls Creek Christian summer camp
