CONFERENCE CENTERS PROVIDE PERFECT SETTINGS

Note: This story is part of a four-part series about CentriKid that will be published throughout this week on the B&R website.

LINDEN — Jimmy Tucker, manager of Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center, says that hosting CentriKids children’s camp is a sound investment.

And he’s not talking about financially.

“Knowing that we are a part of the campers’ faith journey makes everything we do worth it,” said Tucker. “We love hosting CentriKid. We look forward to it every year.”

Linden Valley hosted camp in June and July this summer, with each camp having 350-400 participants, ranging in age from second through sixth grade. The camps run from Monday to Friday each week, and they draw campers from all over the South.

“They’re from Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky and Georgia,” said Tucker. “Sometimes even farther.”

Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center plays the host role, too, with Crossings Camp, All Nations Camp and many others taking place on the Carson campus.

“Each year, we have just under 300 groups that conduct their retreat or summer camps at Carson Springs,” said Kevin

Perrigan, manager of CSBCC. “On paper, we are hosting all of these groups. But in actuality, we are partnering with them from the beginning to the end.”

Camps play a critical role in helping children learn about the Lord and grow stronger in their walk, said Ryan Keaton, strengthening evangelistic disciples team leader for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.

Keaton noted that many of the campers make professions of faith during the week and are soon baptized.

“These 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,” said Keaton. “These experiences often serve as spiritual milestones — moments when children first feel a call to salvation or ministry.”

Watching those moments occur is the most rewarding aspect of the hosting role, Tucker said.

“Seeing kids make decisions in their lives and faith is something that is hard to describe,” said Tucker. “You can just see it in their eyes and physical demeanor. Knowing that a child has come to Linden Valley and their path into ministry started here is a wonderful feeling.”

Keaton said he is thankful for all those who are involved in summer camps — from the college students who serve as counselors to the churches that send the kids to camp to the administrators and leaders of each organization.

“When churches and leaders invest in children early, they are not just nurturing future adults, they are raising present-day disciples,” Keaton said. “Pouring into them now sets the stage for lifelong faithfulness, deep biblical roots, and spiritual resilience in a world that increasingly challenges truth. Whoever wants the next generation the most will shape their future. The church must urgently and intentionally disciple children — before the world does.”

Tucker said CentriKid has a high number of returnees each summer, which serves as a testament to the camp’s appeal.

“One of my favorite things about hosting CentriKid is seeing some of the same kids year after year,” Tucker said. “Getting to see them spiritually grow each year is a huge blessing. Also, having the opportunity to make connections with our TBC churches and their leaders is huge.”

CentriKid operates under the Lifeway umbrella, and All Nations Camp is sponsored by the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and is funded in part by gifts to the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions. (Full coverage of this year’s ANC can be found here).

Perrigan said he loves the fact that  many campers will forever remember Carson Springs as the place where they made the most important decision of their lives.

“Each week, God moves in the hearts of children and students,” he said. “It’s exciting to know that by the end of the week, as the vans and buses drive out of our gates, each person is different from when they came because of their experiences with Christ.”

Keaton noted that these camps will shape the future for many campers: “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