Boy Scout Troop 96 Weekend

This boy scout group has been coming up to the camp for several years now and we are always glad to have them. 

The tents started out scattered out from the pavilion but when the rain came all but one under up underneath...along with a few hammocks as well. 

The boys played a few rounds of checkers...went for a hike and did a craft or two. 

The big thing, however, was a cooking contest. 

Now we're not sure who actually won, but the food did look edible!

Mary Breeden, one of the troop leaders, said she'd never made it down to the Secret Creek before...I hope she had the chance on this trip. This group may just get the top prize when it comes to cleaning up the place before they leave! As always, we look forward to their next trip.

Shipps Baptist Camps Out

What a great group we had up at the camp this weekend -- and what a great weather weekend for them. Johnny Gurley and a few other guys from Shipps, came up early Thursday and eventually they all arrived by dark.

Of course they had fun in "The Secret Creek"; this has become the favorite go-to place in the camp.

Johnny and company made quick work of a tree we had across Beech Bottom Trail and we are very thankful for that. There was hiking, and corn hole and several fishing trips.

One of the guys caught 5 or 6 bass and others caught a few bluegill. 

The trip started out on an interesting note when Angela Gurley discovered a live possum in an empty garbage can that was trapped. I was not anywhere close when she found it, but I'm sure there was a scream or two let out.

I noticed there were several plumbers in the group one of which advised me the way to go on a future project. The pastor Sam Gulley came up for a bite to eat and hung around for a bit Friday night. We look forward to having them back in the near future!

Mable Hill Spends the Day

Scott Woods brought a group out for a work/fun day and they did such a great job cleaning up the campground area and obstacle course.

There was also a group at the pavilion who were awesome as well. Later there was plenty of food, a little fishing and some exploring. They decided to end the day at the church for a time of devotion.

Brother Mike Clark had intended to come but was pulled away to Louisiana to help with a tragedy. We missed him and I am sure he missed all the great food they had!

Central Baptist Visit

It was a pleasure to have Pastor Shannon Johnson and crew up at the camp. It was a small but very active group.

Brother Shannon led them on several trail hikes and plenty of good food was prepared.

The kids seemed to have a good time but the heat was not making it easy. Come nightfall, several didn't stay the night, but those who did all stayed in the one large tent.

Plans were to stay until late in the afternoon but the heat must have really taken it out of folks as they were all gone by lunch.

We look forward to seeing the group again...maybe in a little cooler weather.

Willowbrook's Father/Son and Father/Daughter Weekend

Willowbrook pulled off a great weekend of camping, starting off with their Father/Son Campout on Friday overnight into Saturday.

The guys came in and got tents set up in the main campground and enjoyed an evening around the campfire.

Saturday morning found them out at the obstacle course:

And also at the various stations, working on blow dart skills, archery, hatchet throwing, and air rifle practice!

At lunchtime, the father/daughter group came in and both groups enjoyed lunch and a very personable missionary who spoke to them all.

The fathers and daughters also took an afternoon of going through the stations, after setting up their tents.  They had a fabulous time and while the numbers were close, there were 75 in the father/son group and 80 in the father/daughter group!

We hope to have *both* groups back again soon!

Cub Scout Pack 391

It may have been a return visit for the boys of Pack 391, but they found ways to experience a couple of 'firsts' on their visit!  They came in on Friday afternoon and got settled in.  The campground is always at its best with the happy sounds of kids having fun and the smell of campfire smoke in the air!

They got off to a slow start Saturday morning, sleeping in a bit, but by early afternoon, they were ready for a guided hike down Beech Bottom Trail.  This particular group had never seen the Secret Creek before, so they were ready to go.  Once we got down to the creek, their eyes went wide . . . and shoes and sock came off in a flash -- especially when their tour guide went right on in!

They splashed and played and had a marvelous afternoon in the creek waters.  They even tried their hands (literally) at catching crawdads, but no one was quiet brave fast enough! We relayed the story of some of the youth guys who visited the camp weeks prior, who caught several crawdads and grilled and ate them!  That certainly sparked interest from the younger boys!

Soon the guys were traveling across, up and down the creek -- shirts were off and they were soaked from head to toe -- but everyone was having a marvelous time.  

The tour guides needed to head back, but the guys opted to stay down at the water and continue to play!  Truthfully, there isn't a better place to be on a warm summer afternoon.

The next morning, as we headed out to church, we were amused to see that the boys had once again headed down to the creek for some water play!  One of their leaders informed us that not only did they go back down, but they also caught their own crawdads and then cooked and ate them -- hmmm, we wonder if that counts toward a survival training badge?

So the Secret Creek is no longer a secret to Pack 391 -- we hope they'll be back soon to enjoy it all over again!

Wears Chapel Baptist Fish Fry

Sunday afternoon was a little rainy, but it cleared up just in time for our Wears Chapel group to come in and enjoy some fellowship.  When they got there, most of the crew headed straight down to Secret Creek and splashed their way up and down the water!

The group stayed down there until the fish were ready.  It was a fun afternoon of splish-splashing and chit-chatting!

Life of Christ Fellowship Family Camping

We had a last minute cancellation for Memorial Day weekend which worked out perfect for Life of Christ Fellowship.  Their original plans fell through and left them looking for a campground and Camp MACOBA was it.

They started coming in early Friday afternoon and put up their tents.  About ten families and lots of children, which means it wasn't long before the camp was filled with the happy sounds of laughter and shouting and fun!

They quickly had a campfire going and it looked like a pretty nifty camp setup!

Not long after getting all set up, they found their way down to Secret Creek and I think they may have spent the majority of their time in what we like to consider the BEST spot in the whole camp!

They had a great time and we're so happy we were able to accommodate them!  We hope they'll be back again soon!