Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center near Talladega played host to numerous children and youth events during the summer months in the hopes of not only entertaining but also training young Christians to live by their faith.
Some groups came for the day to take part in the adventure recreation program, play a couple of paintball games or have picnics by the lake, while
others came for more extended stays complete with camps and conferences.
Student Life Youth Camp launched summer activities at Shocco, beginning with six days of staff training for approximately 100 staffers. Then more than 800 campers in grades 7–12 from across the Southeast arrived for five days of recreation and worship. This year’s theme of “Before and After” was based on 1 John 1:1–2 with a goal of not just entertaining, but also focusing on discipleship and training by bringing to life the teachings of Scripture.
The campers were divided into smaller groups for daily Bible
studies and prayer gatherings. Morning activities started with 45 minutes of quiet time followed by a celebration complete with music, drama and a message. In the evenings, everyone gathered for worship services in the chapel.
World Changers also held a camp at Shocco. The 86 members of the North American Mission Board World Changers’ staff were divided into teams based upon their tasks and destinations and went through team-building, skill and evangelism training and driving school sessions to prepare for their projects.
Everything was done in preparation for their primary tasks but also for the final exam taken on the last day of training camp.
Michele White of Eufaula has participated in five World Changers projects in the past but this summer was her first time on staff.
“I’ve learned so many things about different missions opportunities, and this week has been a wonderful experience. [It taught me] new ways to be able to share my faith and share what God has given me,” White said.
Three Super Summer sessions for junior high and high school students had about 800 participants in each session. Campers followed a schedule with ample time for both worship and discipleship experiences.
“It’s a camp experience for personal spiritual growth,” said Keith Loomis, an associate in the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions’ office of collegiate and student ministries.
Loomis had the opportunity to meet with youth ministers near the end of each session to ask for feedback, and he said the response was positive as to the kind of impact the camps were making on students.
Proving camp is not just for youth, four sessions of Student Life Kids Camp for grades 3–6 provided many opportunities for learning and playing.
Shocco also welcomed hundreds of boys during the summer for a variety of Royal Ambassador camps.
According to Shocco executive director Buster Taylor, the conference center hosted more than 17,000 guests during a 10-week period from the end of May to early August.
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