CENTRIKID LEADER: CAMP EMPHASIZES GOSPEL IN EVERY ACTIVITY, EVERY DAY

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

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Alli Brown’s passion for CentriKid Camp has taken her from the rec fields to the corporate office.

Brown, who is a member of NorthField Church in Gallatin, serves on Centrikid’s national staff as a team lead and one of the event coordinators — a role she has filled since 2016. Working in Brentwood at the CentriKid headquarters inside the Lifeway building, she is one of hundreds of Tennessee Baptists who are involved with CentriKid and other Christ-centered children’s camps, including All Nations Camp, Crossings Camp and many others.

During her college days, from 2012-2016, Brown worked four summers as a CentriKid camp staffer, which meant spending most of the summer with a whistle around her neck, a clipboard in her hand and sweat running down her back.

It was during those days, those sweltering days of June and July, where she fell in love with CentriKid.

“Once I became a staffer, I really saw the importance and the need for CentriKid,” Brown said. “It’s about giving kids a safe place to not only be a kid, but also to explore their faith.”

Brown said one of the most rewarding aspects of her job is watching the campers — grades second through sixth — grow up, both physically and spiritually.

“It’s so awesome to be able to see them become more independent,” Brown said. “Not just as individuals, but also in their faith. I love the fact that CentriKid offers the campers a place where they are able to worship in a safe, contained place. And beyond that, they also learn how to take that home and share it with their family and friends.”

Brown said the relaxed and inviting nature of a camp setting, combined with a never-wavering incorporation of the gospel, is what makes CentriKid a great environment for all kids.

“Camp gives kids a different atmosphere,” said Brown, “and it’s very welcoming and appealing to kids who aren’t always churched, who come with their friends.”

Brown, like many others who are affiliated with CentriKid, said she believes the camp’s biggest draw can be found in the organization’s openness about its top priority: helping children grow in the Lord.

“For me, the most exciting part of CentriKid is that every part of camp programming is all turned back to the gospel,” she said. “Whether it’s a basketball relay or something that they’ve done in art studio or recreation, every single thing is always brought back to the theme for the week, which is always centered back to the gospel.”

Brown said the CentriKid leadership team works diligently on ensuring that the campers have a week that is filled with enjoyment while also learning important Biblical truths and lessons.

“Our goal is to provide a place for them to learn about God in a fun environment,” said Brown. “Yes, they are with their friends, and there is plenty of laugher, but also it’s serious. We have so much fun but we also really hammer home the importance of their relationship — a personal relationship — with Christ.” B&R