By: Isabelle Puente
What started as a small church camp to bring students closer to God, is now celebrating their 2 millionth camper this summer.
The annual FUGE Camps have officially started at Union University – and are continuing their motto “Life Changing Camps.”
“We’re in this space where we get to freely worship Jesus,” Caroline Franklin said. “And it’s really just a beautiful thing.”
Caroline Franklin, a Louisiana native, has worked with FUGE for the past six years and is currently working her first summer as camp director.
Franklin shared her perspective on why she thinks camps like FUGE are important in helping kids grow their faith.
“I couldn’t imagine my life without FUGE,” Franklin said. “I think it’s a great way for (campers) to get away from their communities and be in this atmosphere where they can be pulled away from distractions and truly focus on worshipping Him.”
After starting in 1979 with only two locations in North Carolina and New Mexico, Centrifuge has grown their camp nationwide.
The camp focuses on bringing students closer to God through Bible study, recreation, track times, worship and church group time.
The camp has become so big that they have even added a second section called MFUGE which has all the same fun activities, but also adds missionary work as well.
The FUGE camps are held weekly June 1 through July 18, allowing campers to concentrate their attention on worship and community.
The camp typically accepts kids in grades 6-12 who are signed up with their local churches.
While participating in different activities each day that tie into their daily spiritual themes, campers end their daily activities in church group time.
The Southern Baptist Convention’s Sunday School Board, now known as Lifeway Christian Resources started Centrifuge in 1979.
The camp has now been open for 40 years and is continuously expanding across the U.S., spreading their faith one camp at a time.
If you would like to learn more about this fun faith-filled camp, you can visit their website athttps://fugecamps.lifeway.com/centrifuge/.
(PHOTO: Caroline Franklin, FUGE camp director – courtesy Isabelle Puente – Golden Media Group)
