TALLADEGA, Ala. — Anna VanBlaricum attended CentriKid summer camp for the first time when she was in third grade.
And she’s basically been going ever since.
Now a junior in college, VanBlaricum has worked her way right up the Centrikid ranks in the past 10 years — from camper to student assistant to recreation leader to her current role: camp director.
She is serving this summer at Shocco Springs Conference Center in Talladega, Ala., and is overseeing hundreds of campers, staffers and church leaders who attend the event.
“I felt like the Lord was calling me into camp ministry when I was in fifth grade,” said VanBlaricum, who is a member of The Glade Church in Mt. Juliet. “And He kept that desire on my heart all through the years until I became old enough to apply for CentriKid.”
This summer is her second year in the camp director’s role. She said the job certainly has its challenges — including spending many afternoons in the sweltering heat — but said it has changed her life.
“Camp stretches you in ways that you didn’t even know you could be stretched,” said VanBlaricum, who is majoring in Christian Ministry at Trevecca University in Nashville. “It really gives you a reliance on the Holy Spirit.
“There are some days when I feel like I can’t go anymore,” she said. “But being in the Word just keeps giving me energy, keeps giving me the discernment that I need to be able to push through.”
VanBlaricum said she has observed that camp, as a whole, has changed a good deal through the years. The influence and pull of outside distractions — like cell phones and social media — seemingly become more and more prevalent among the campers each year.
The good news of Jesus, however, never changes, she said.
“Sometimes when I talk to the kids, it’s really tough to hear their situations, to see the red flags they are dealing with, and see the brokenness of the world,” VanBlaricum said. “But from that, we get to point them toward the hope that we have in Christ and point them to Jesus.”
VanBlaricum’s story represents just one of the thousands of Tennessee Baptists who have been impacted by Christ-centered camps like CentriKid, Crossings Camp, All Nations Camp and others. Although the camps typically only last one week, the benefits can often last a lifetime.
“You learn so much about yourself — your desires, your passions and how you treat people — through camp,” VanBlaricum said. “It is so much fun, but you definitely learn a lot, too.”
Each summer, the two Tennessee Baptist Conference Centers (Linden Valley and Carson Springs) host thousands of campers and church leaders, providing a scenic backdrop for campers to spend the week playing games, swimming, doing recreation activities and, most importantly, growing closer to the Lord.
Kevin Perrigan, manager of Carson Springs, noted that the conference center hosts roughly 300 different groups / camps each summer. He said that he and the staff look forward to the “busy season” each summer and the excitement that each new week brings.
“On paper, we are hosting all of these groups,” he said. “But in actuality, we are partnering with them from the beginning to the end.”
The Tennessee Baptist Conference Centers are among the 21 host sites for CentriKid, which take place across the Southeast. Last summer, more than 1,100 churches attended CentriKid, and nearly 500 campers (497) made professions of faith. In the process, CentriKid raised $113,000 for missions.
Jimmy Tucker, manager of Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center, said hosting childrens camp is one of the most rewarding aspects of his job. “Knowing that we are a part of the campers’ faith journey makes everything we do worth it,” said Tucker.
For many elementary students, attending camp is the highlight of the summer. It’s an exhausting week, yes, but also exhilarating, filled with activities that include everything from whiffle ball to zip-lining. It is also a time of growth, both socially and spiritually.
VanBlaricum said one of her favorite parts of her job is seeing the “returnees” each year — and seeing how they’ve matured.
“Hearing their stories each year, it’s just awesome,” said VanBlaricum. “You see them accept Christ (one year), and then you get to watch them take the next steps. It’s just really cool.”
Ryan Keaton, strengthening evangelistic disciples team leader for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, said that camps “provide a unique and intentional environment where kids can experience the gospel personally, build spiritual habits, and develop a love for the church and God’s mission.”
Most adults who attend camp, either as chaperones or team leaders, quickly realize there is much more to camp than swimming and eating chicken nuggets. It’s about shaping the future and advancing the gospel.
“Camps play a vital role in raising up the next generation of gospel leaders by helping kids see that their faith isn’t just their parents’ — it’s personal, powerful, and worth building a life upon.” B&R