Soul Care with Eric Camfield Part I
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Eric Camfield once wore pinstripes for the Yankees organization. Today, his uniform looks a bit different.
After time in professional baseball and nearly two decades in ministry, Camfield founded Altar Fly Fishing, a nonprofit that helps leaders pause, reflect, and recover the kind of clarity many lose in high-pressure roles. His retreats aren't about escaping responsibility, they're about learning how to carry it better.
The Retreat That Isn’t a Vacation
Host Tony Kalinowski has attended two retreats with Altar and speaks from firsthand experience.
“It was more than just fishing,” Kalinowski noted. “It gave me space to ask better questions about my life and leadership.”
At these retreats, the fly rod is only part of the gear. Participants are guided through structured reflection, group discussion, and solitude. The goal is not relaxation, but reset.
The Origin Story
The concept for Altar came to Camfield in the corner of a small Chicago pub while waiting for his son at volleyball practice. He typed out five pages that would eventually serve as the framework for a new kind of ministry, one rooted in rhythm, not hustle.
He initially thought it might be a side project. But after word spread, interest grew. COVID-19 didn’t slow it down. If anything, the demand for thoughtful leadership environments accelerated.
A Coach at Heart
Camfield brings a mix of influences to the table baseball locker rooms, church leadership, nonprofit consulting, and executive coaching. It’s a background that allows him to speak the language of performance and purpose.
At the heart of his approach is a belief that leaders don’t need more noise. They need space to hear themselves think.
“Everything around us lives in rhythm,” Camfield said. “But we’ve lost that. And we’re seeing the cost.”
Beyond the Riverbank
Altar now offers more than just weekend retreats. In 2024, the organization began building out a yearlong experience with resources, follow-up coaching, and guest teaching. The model combines spiritual practices, leadership training, and a focus on personal health — with the understanding that leadership doesn’t stop when the trip ends.
“We’re not here to host nice events,” Camfield said. “We’re here to help people make real changes and follow through.”
The Ripple Effect
For leaders in ministry, business, and nonprofit sectors, the retreat experience offers more than rest. It helps clarify what’s working, what’s not, and where renewal is needed most.
“We all like to think we’re high-capacity,” Kalinowski said. “But unless we have a rhythm that includes rest, we’re not as effective as we think.”
Camfield agrees. “A leader’s impact is tied to their health, physical, emotional, and spiritual. When that slips, everything else eventually follows.”
Connect: Tony Kalinowski
View Podcast Website: Here
Learn more about Eric: altarflyfishing.org
Podcast Producer: David Alexander