From setting up tents, to cooking dinner outside, to roasting marshmallows around a campfire, a group of Middle Georgians reconnected with God's beautiful outdoors recently. The property adjacent to the pavilion at Central Baptist Church in Warner Robins was transformed into a campground on Friday, February 29. Camping tents formed a semicircle on the grassy area, hammock tents hung from nearby trees, and cot tents rested at either end of the pavilion.

About 20 people camped overnight as part of a Camping and Backpacking course, an outdoor ministry outreach of Central Baptist Church. Led by Mark and Jean Swann, the current camping class started on Monday, January 28, with nine classroom meetings, three dayhikes, and three camping trips as participants learn the basics of camping and backpacking, with the ultimate goal of connecting the Word of God with the world of God. Starting with the recent car camping trip on the church property, the class is gearing up to wilderness backpacking with a two-night, 10-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail planned for April 18-20.

To prepare, the class has hiked the three-mile Central Baptist Church property trails, gone for a day hike at Ocmulgee Indian Mounds in Macon, and is planning to hike the Montezuma Bluffs. On April 4-6, the class is making plans for a primitive car camping trip to Pigeon Mountain near Lafayette, Georgia.

Because of the ministry's effective outreach, the Swanns were invited to give a presentation about the camping class at the Christian Adventure Association's recent conference on March 14-16 in Oregon.

"It has been fun to learn more about camping and backpacking as a ministry and to plant the seed of the gospel in folks who don't know Jesus Christ. I've always enjoyed learning something new. We've camped, ridden mountain bikes, hiked, and now we've started kayaking," Mark Swann said.

The class notebook, full of important information for the 22 class members, lists the following reasons to camp: to connect with nature, to exercise, to develop living skills, to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, for adventure, for family time, for selfesteem, for team building, and for special interests such as stargazing, wildflowers, wildlife, fishing, and rock climbing. How to plan, how to purchase the right gear, and where to obtain needed information are all contained in the camping notebook, which Jean and Mark have been compiling since their first camping class in 2006.

Class sessions include hands-on instruction on safety, gear, cooking, packing, planning, and more. At the first camp out, the campers had the opportunity to make a small alcohol stove and windscreen, a reflective cozy for freezer bag cooking, a potty pack, a repair kit, a fire kit, and fire starter eggs, essential items for backpacking.

Building Relationships

While enjoying the outdoors, hiking, cooking, and telling stories around the campfire, the participants found many opportunities to build relationships.

The youngest camper on the recent campout was Scott Murphy, 12, from Butler, Georgia. Scott's grandmother, Ann Tribble from Fort Valley, saw a notice about the camping class in the base paper and decided it would be a good activity for them both.

"It was a way for me to get out and meet other people. I like hiking best. I'm a walker anyway, but I love the change in scenery," Ann said. Scott said that when his grandmother told him about the class, she made only one request of him.

"My granny said that the PlayStation stays at home," Scott said.

Kenny Bittick, 15, heard about the class from his grandfather, Charles Nall, the Minister to Internationals at Central Baptist Church.

"I wanted to take part because I like to be outside. I like the camping part best," Kenny said.

"I hike and wanted to hike some of the Appalachian Trail, but I needed some advice, so this was the perfect group to join. Mark and Jean always keep the ministry outreach in mind—they pray and have a devotional at every gathering," Charles said.

Bob Grendell from Hawkinsville is a first timer in the camping class. He was thinking of camping alone when he saw a flyer for the class in Chuck's Bait and Tackle.

"I'm learning stuff you can't find in books. I've also found out just how bad of shape I am in. My challenge is to get in better shape. I did some camping in my backyard when I was a boy, but backpacking has always fascinated me," Bob said.

Harvey Wright heard about the course from his DivorceCare leaders at Central Baptist Church.

"Jean and Mark both put forth a lot of effort in this class. It is very informative. I learned how to make an alcohol stove at this campout, which is helpful. I'm learning to pick the right equipment and how to stay safe and not get into trouble in the woods. I'm looking forward to getting out and hiking with such a good group of people. It's important when you go through a crisis like divorce in your personal life to be around good people and to have good, positive influences," Harvey said.

Andy and Kristin Black, Central Baptist Church members, attend the class with the goal of making camping a family activity.

"My husband Andy really likes camping, so I'm hoping to get better at it so we can enjoy camping together. This weekend is a little cold for me. I like camping when it's warmer. We both enjoyed making the homemade camping equipment," Kristin said.

Connecting the Beauty of Creation to its Creator

Adam Sauro is an experienced backpacker and mountain climber. He heard about the course in his Sunday School class at Central when it started in 2006, and he and his wife, Natalie, have attended each new camping class as a way to meet other backpackers in the area and learn new techniques.

Adam, recently back from a climb in Ecuador, finds that mountain climbing provides many opportunities for sharing his faith in Jesus Christ.

"In climbing, you have to develop a relationship with other climbers, because your life is literally in the hands of the person who is belaying you. As you develop a level of trust in your fellow climber, it is natural to bring up, ‘I know where I'm going should something go wrong; do you know where you're going to go? 'A lot of climbers tend to be spiritual, but they often worship the creation instead of the creator. Many have New Age beliefs or a ‘cafeteria faith,' combining beliefs from several religions," Adam said.

Alissa Noe is also part of the core group of campers who attended the first class in 2006. "I had never gone camping and hiking. I love camping now, especially on beautiful days. I enjoy the fellowship, developing relationships, and learning. It's really awesome. When you're out camping with only a handful of basic necessities, you realize how fortunate you are. It has helped me to be a part of this group because I have had the chance to share my faith while I'm doing something I like, a double blessing. When we went camping in North Georgia near Elijay, we were able to ask several people about their beliefs. We came across one guy who had recently given his heart to the Lord. He was camping and seeking God in a quiet place, just like Jesus did. This class has taught me a lot about planning, too. Jean Swann is the ultimate at planning. She puts forth so much effort at everything she does. She is an inspiration to me and a role model," Alissa said.

"Every time we offer the camping and backpacking class, somebody else comes and really helps out. Some campers, like Adam, have been there from the very beginning and share their wealth of knowledge with the newer class members," Jean said.

For more information about Central Baptist Church's Camping and Backpacking Course, call Mark and Jean Swann at 953-4778.