50-year-old camp keeps serving, growing

By Dianna L. Cagle

BR Asst. Managing Editor

Give campers a handbrake, protective gear and a beefed-up skateboard and you get mountain- borarding, a popular activity at South Mountain Baptist Camp.

Contributed photo

A former staff member and current chaplain with the U.S. Army is on the receiving end of South Mountain Baptist Camp's servant heart.

"We thought we would receive enough supplies to pack 20 boxes," said Al Tinnin, camp director. "At last count, we packed 77 boxes to mail to Chaplain (Greg) McVey. Every year God amazes us with some new aspect of Himself and His people."

Throughout the summer of 2007, campers and staff members collected hard candy, beef jerky, phone cards, toiletries, writing supplies, and devotionals materials to send to the chaplain who was serving in Afghanistan.

Tinnin, who is finishing his 12th year as camp director, said that effort was just one of the ways South Mountain continues to reach its community and beyond.

What sets South Mountain apart from other camps is "the personal touch," said Tinnin.

McVey served on the staff of South Mountain during the late 1990s, where his work ethic was well known. He also took time to disciple the boys and encourage them.

"Greg spends a lot of time traveling to different bases where there is no 'full-time' chaplain. So, when he travels, he likes to take goodies and supplies to those soldiers," said Conli McVey, Greg's wife.

South Mountain, on the southern end of Burke County, is about 13 miles south of Morganton. It celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007.

"When the camp was started the only option was Ridgecrest at the time," said Tinnin.

At the time the Baptist State Convention was not acquiring facilities for use but encouraging regional camps for Royal Ambassadors and other outdoor activities. South Mountain was created to serve Region 8.

Some individuals wanted children to have an affordable option for summer camp. It was a team effort to "make this a reality," Tinnon said.

South Mountain is mainly used in the summertime, but facilities are available.

Seven cabins are like houses with bathroom facilities inside and there are an additional nine cabins like bunkhouses with separate bath facilities.

Tinnin said there is a small conference center that will hold 35 people; rooms and dining space. This is primarily used for weekend groups.

There is also a chapel and another, larger dining hall with a game room and camp store. The 77-acre property also has a staff house as well as a house for the director and the caretaker (the only full-time employees). For recreational use, there is a softball field, pool, fishing pond, basketball area, low ropes course, human foosball court and mountain boarding.

About a third of South Mountain's budget comes from churches or individual donations.

This year's summer camp theme is "The Amazing Race." The four-day camps, which are designed for boys and girls from second grade through 12th grade, cost $90. There are also five- and six-day camps for children and youth of various ages ranging in cost from $105 to $155. A summer staff of 20-25 older high school and college students will help with the campers. Most are from the area and grew up going to camp at South Mountain.

The motto of the camp is "Touching lives to change a world."