Whitesburg RAs Father-Son Campout

Talk about perfect camping out weather -- that's what the Whitesburg RAs had for their father-son campout this past weekend!

After a dinner of deluxe bacon-cheeseburgers, they took some time making a 'cabin' craft together.

While they worked, they also had a time of devotion, followed by flashlight tag!

A terrific group had a terrific time!

Sunday School Class Fellowship - New Market Baptist

It was really terrific Saturday for an afternoon/evening of fellowship on the pavilion. And we were so happy that one of our favorite groups were here to enjoy it!

Mrs. Sara made a terrific pot of chili and some hot cider -- perfect for a spring evening where the temps dip down into the 50's -- and Mr. Bill had a roaring fire going in the fireplace!

Dinner was jolly, with everyone 'camping out' by the fireplace.  

For dessert they had a camping favorite . . . s'mores!  Everyone got in on the marshmallow roasting fun!!

After dinner, we took one of Mrs. Sara's famous Bible quizzes. 

May I just say that her quizzes let you know how little you actually know about the good Book??! After the quiz, we played a funny game, and that wrapped up the evening.  They had a great time of fellowship and we love it that they always include us in their fun!

Flint River Community Group -- Low Country Shrimp Boil!

The weather was cool and clear -- a perfect evening for our first group of the spring season to arrive! And the perfect night for the second annual Flint River Baptist Church Community Group Low Country Shrimp Boil!

There was a good crowd of folks . . . probably better than forty adults, teens and children running around!

Once the cooking was done, the big pot was emptied out on not one, but TWO picnic tables!

What a spread! This year they had crayfish flown in all the way from Louisiana!

After a little tutorial on how to eat the crayfish, everyone sat down with plates piled high!

After dinner the fellowship started in earnest.  For some it was around the campfire, roasting marshmallows . . . 

And for some it was around the checkerboard!

That was a very spirited game!!

There were even a few brave individuals who pitched tents (in the dark)!

All in all it was a fantastic evening and folks really enjoyed kicking back and enjoying good food, good friends, and good fellowship. As always, we were grateful to be included in such a fun evening!

As Bill, the coordinator of the effort, said last evening, here's to forty more years!

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!

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!

Flint River Baptist Community Group

Even though we'd had a little rain overnight and on Friday morning, and the temps were going to dip down into the 40's on Saturday night, that didn't stop the Community Group and their families (and some youth, too) from Flint River from heading to the camp!  

They arrived right around 4:00 and immediately there were tents going up, folks headed down to the ponds with fishing poles, and some *serious* cooking going on!

Y'all . . . that really was *serious* cooking.

I think it may have been the first time there's been a shrimp boil up here. Isn't that gorgeous?? We were so tickled to be invited over for dinner and then Bill, the group's coordinator, also asked if we'd speak a little bit about the camp and about our ministry.  We were delighted!

There was a good sized group that was there for dinner and then it whittled down a little to the serious campers.

And campfire lovers! We have it on good authority that a significant number of the adults spent the entire night around the campfire . . . who needs a tent??

It was the perfect weekend for camping in the elements and suffice it to say, they had a great time. We hope the camp made some new friends!

Whitesburg RAs

Cold temps didn't stop the Whitesburg RAs from having a good time at their annual fall camp out! They came in late on Friday and settled in quickly. Because of the cold, they set up around (and under) the pavilion -- near the fire!

Saturday morning was a pancake morning and then they settled into crafts and activities and games.

One of the crafts involved stockings . . .

And this young man worked very diligently on his.

All in all, despite the cold, they had a great time! 

This is a great group of fellows, and we always enjoy their presence when they visit!

MBA Father-Son Camp Out

They couldn't have had finer weather for a fall camp out . . . the temps were cool but not cold, the sky was clear, and the camp fires smelled so good!

For this year's annual MBA-wide Father-Son camp out, we had about 135 lads and dads, and if the laughter and shouting were any indication, they all had a marvelous time.  The weekend's activities included archery practice:

Pellet gun practice:

Sling shot practice:

And even a little blow gun practice:

The guys had lists of activities . . .

And they were checking it twice!

You couldn't see the forest for the tents!

Good fellowship, good food, and good fun.

And maybe a little fishing . . .