About us
Camps and a mentoring programme that prepare boys to become leaders. The summer and winter camps are for young people aged 14 and over, while the Men camp is for adult men. It all began in Latvia in 2009, and today DRAFTS also takes place in the USA and Czechia.
In 2009
Boys and men
Over 2,000
Latvia · USA · Czechia
To prepare, train and challenge boys to become godly leaders who take responsibility and bring positive change to society
Understand the gospel
Develop a Christlike character
Discover your calling and purpose
Find your place in church and leadership
The crisis that started it all
The Union of Baptist Churches in Latvia was facing a crisis: only 66 pastors remained across 88 churches, and their average age had reached 70.
This showed how important it is to invest in the next generation early and help boys grow into men who are not afraid of responsibility.
In response, two pastors, Pēteris and Kaspars, created the DRAFTS camps. In the USA, they are known as Forge Camp.
The aim was simple and ambitious: to raise godly men and future leaders.
Seventeen years later
Figures from the Union of Baptist Churches in Latvia, comparing 2008 with today.
2000+
young men
have attended DRAFTS camps since 2009
70 → 40
average age of pastors
in the Baptist Union in 2008 and today
66 → 100
pastors
66 remained in 2008; today there are 100 across 95 churches
> 50%
pastors
of today's pastors have attended DRAFTS camps
Camp graduates now lead in many areas: ministry, business, family and society.
Why a young man should join DRAFTS
Adolescence is one of the most important stages in shaping identity and a direction in life.
Research shows that during adolescence young people explore their identity more actively, make long-term commitments and begin to define their purpose in life more clearly. At this age, they increasingly look for answers to questions such as:
“Who am I?”
“What kind of person do I want to become?”
“Where is my life heading?”
“What place do I want to have in the world?”
A camp built around these questions
DRAFTS is deliberately designed to help boys find answers. We believe young men grow when they are challenged, supported by brotherhood, guided by mentors and called to a vision greater than their personal ambitions.
The camp is for every boy who needs to grow into a responsible, courageous and loving man, able to lead himself and care for what has been entrusted to him.
What it means to be a godly man
Today's culture often sends conflicting messages about manhood. The Bible offers a clear vision, revealed most fully in the life of Jesus.
Strong and compassionate
A godly man brings together truth and grace. He does not choose one at the expense of the other.
Leading with courage and humility
He puts serving others above his own interests.
Not seeking comfort
He accepts challenges rather than avoiding them.
Knowing he needs brotherhood
As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another. No one gets far alone.
Learning through experience
Every activity is designed to develop maturity, resilience and responsibility in boys.
Physical challenges
Body and willpower are tested in practice, not just in theory.
Leadership tasks
Everyone has to take the lead at some point and answer for the result.
Team challenges
Tasks that simply cannot be completed alone.
Conversations with mentors
An adult man who asks questions and listens.
Feedback
Leaders say what they see straight away and directly, even when it is uncomfortable to hear.
From Latvia to other countries
What began in one small country now works in others too.
LV
Latvia
Since 2009This is where it all began. Camps, mentoring and the winter Mobilization camp take place every year.
CZ
Czechia
DRAFTSCamps also take place in Czechia, following the same model.
Behind every camp is a team
BPI DRAFTS would not be possible without a strong, dependable team alongside us.
Aleksandrs Kēnigsvalds
Daniels Poltoraks
Kaspars Šterns
Andrejs Goloborodko
Valters Siksna
Oskars Špickofs
Raitis Šķerbergs
Toms Grenevics
Luke Tolbert
Mārcis Zīverts
Intars Jesers
Deniss Miglāns
Twelve leaders and instructors: pastors, entrepreneurs and professionals who give their time to the boys every year.
Meet the team →Supporters make the camps accessible
BPI DRAFTS is a ministry that can make a positive difference in society thanks to its supporters. Their support helps us run activities and expand across Latvia and internationally.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who supports us.
Support BPI DRAFTS