Second's Place Camp 2025

Second’s Place is a component of CW Parker Ministries; it seeks to serve at-risk teenage boys from single-parent homes. The name Second’s Place is derived from the name of my son Charles Wade Parker, II who was stillborn in 1994. It is my desire to share with young men who have no father in the home the lessons I would have taught my son. Hence our motto is “Lessons a Father Would Teach His Son”

I have been serving young men for the majority of my ministry being a “dad” to many, I am humbled to have over 20 god-sons aged from 49-19. While serving in Palm Springs CA, Second’s Place Camp had a yearly week camp from 2010 through 2017.

Second’s Place camp is primarily underwritten by the Parker Family. My wife and daughters. They play a pivotal role in maintaining the purpose of Second’s Place, budgeting, planning and implementation.  There are several “Fathers” who have partnered with me to provide paternal guidance for the boys.  The cost is underwritten by personal funds and some generous gifts from supporters of the vision.

Camp is Monday, July 7 through July 11, 2025  Bagby Camping & Recreation on Lake McClure in Mariposa, CA.  Planned activities will include; learning to set up a campsite, maintaining a campsite, fishing, hiking, archery, outdoor sports and a day trip to a water park.

Second’s Place seeks to give each camper a T-shirt, flashlight, sleeping bag, fishing pole and provide all the food they can eat while at camp. After camp provides mentoring and walking with the young man as they grow through life.

Included in the camp experience, is a Mother’s Club a meeting for the mothers to address their apprehensions and frustrations of raising a son without a father in the home. 

Second’s Place desires to nurture the boys based upon the  growth of Jesus as recorded in Luke 2.52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. Mental growth, a change in conduct. Physical growth, a change in condition. Social growth, a change in community. Spiritual growth, a change in character.

Second’s Place Camp is free to all participants. “It shouldn’t cost to be loved” Pastor Parker. The only cost associated would be the participants travel to and from the drop-off and pick-up locations. All meals, breakfast, lunch, dinner on each full camp day, dinner on the initial travel day and breakfast on the departing day along with snacks (“zoom zooms and wham whams”). Also depending upon the graciousness of benefactors each participant will receive a “swag” items to take home with him.

Second’s Place Camp provides a unique opportunity for young men to interact with men who are committed to patterning a life of character and integrity before them. Each moment is designed to turn a simple moment into a lasting impact. 

The safety of those entrusted to us is important each "father" has been LiveScanned. 

Also members of the team are CPR certified.

Pre-registration is ongoing and full registration will be open in January. Please use the "GET IN TOUCH' tab on the Contact Page for pre-registration, once pre-registered you will be contacted with registration information. Space is limited to 10 campers, so preregister now.

Second's Place is a godsend. raising a young man is challenging I recognized there are things that my son needed to see, experience from a man. This experience impacted my son greatly. He got to meet excellent mentors and learned life lessons. CW Parker has been a force in my son's life I declare him "my stand in baby daddy". He stepped up and came into my sons life where others have failed him and I know my son will become a better man because of it.

                                                                               Mother of Second's Place Camp Participant