Centrifuge (camps)
Encyclopedia
Centrifuge is the name of a series of Christian summer camps for children, youth, and young adults centered on Bible study, worship, missions work, and recreational activities. It is sponsored by LifeWay Christian Resources
of the Southern Baptist Convention
.
) turned into a youth ministry movement.
Centrifuge camps are unique in that there is not a central camp facility where the program is conducted. Instead, teams of staffers are based at various colleges and retreat centers across the United States. Student-campers are usually housed in college dormitories or convention-style hotel rooms.
Because of this decentralized approach, Centrifuge staffs -- usually about 20-30 college students and recent college graduates -- are able to reach students across the United States.
LifeWay Christian Resources states that since the beginning of the ministry, over 1,000,000 people have experienced Centrifuge and its associated camps.
churches. The camps offer a "staff who does the work so that your youth staff are free to deepen their relationships with both students and God."
The Centrifuge experience includes:
LifeWay Christian Resources
LifeWay Christian Resources, based in Nashville, Tennessee, is one of the largest providers of Christian resources in the world. LifeWay has been recognized as one of the "Best Employers in Tennessee" by BusinessTN magazine.-Background:...
of the Southern Baptist Convention
Southern Baptist Convention
The Southern Baptist Convention is a United States-based Christian denomination. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States, with over 16 million members...
.
Background
Since 1979 Centrifuge has been the official youth camp of the Southern Baptist Convention. What started out as a few weeks of camp sponsored by the Baptist Sunday School Board (now LifeWay Christian ResourcesLifeWay Christian Resources
LifeWay Christian Resources, based in Nashville, Tennessee, is one of the largest providers of Christian resources in the world. LifeWay has been recognized as one of the "Best Employers in Tennessee" by BusinessTN magazine.-Background:...
) turned into a youth ministry movement.
Centrifuge camps are unique in that there is not a central camp facility where the program is conducted. Instead, teams of staffers are based at various colleges and retreat centers across the United States. Student-campers are usually housed in college dormitories or convention-style hotel rooms.
Because of this decentralized approach, Centrifuge staffs -- usually about 20-30 college students and recent college graduates -- are able to reach students across the United States.
LifeWay Christian Resources states that since the beginning of the ministry, over 1,000,000 people have experienced Centrifuge and its associated camps.
Programming
Centrifuge camps are open to students in the 7-12 grade range and college students. They are centered around the youth groups of Christian churches, particularly (though not exclusively) BaptistBaptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
churches. The camps offer a "staff who does the work so that your youth staff are free to deepen their relationships with both students and God."
The Centrifuge experience includes:
- Strong small-group youth Bible study, led by a trained camp staffer (usually a college student)
- Team-building activity
- Morning and evening worship services
- Camp-wide fellowships, like talent shows (also known as Night-Life), Game Shows, and Mega- relays
Typical schedule
Though Centrifuge camps vary slightly at each location due to differences in personnel and available facilities, a typical day at Centrifuge would include: (Official Schedule from 2011 Centrifuge at Ridgecrest)| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:00 a.m. | Breakfast/Quiet Time |
| 8:15 a.m. | A.M. Show (Dismiss at 8:45) |
| 9:00 a.m. | Recreation (Dismiss at 10:15) |
| 10:30 a.m. | Bible Study |
| 11:45 AM: | Lunch |
| 1:30 p.m. | Track Rally |
| 1:45p.m. | Track A |
| 2:45 p.m. | Track Rally |
| 3:00p.m. | Track B |
| 4:00 p.m. | Hang Time (Free Time) |
| 5:30 PM | Dinner |
| 7:00 PM | Worship |
| 8:30 p.m. | Church-group devotion |
| 9:45 p.m. | Night life |
| 10:30 p.m. | Hang Time |
| 11:00 p.m. | In rooms |
| 11:30 p.m. | Lights out |
Locations
In Summer 2006, there were Centrifuge camps located:- Ridgecrest Conference Center - Ridgecrest, North CarolinaRidgecrest, North CarolinaRidgecrest is an unincorporated settlement in eastern Buncombe County, North Carolina, off Interstate 40/U.S. Route 70. The community is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- Glorieta Conference Center - Glorieta, New MexicoGlorieta, New MexicoGlorieta is a census-designated place in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States. It is part of the Santa Fe, New Mexico Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 859 at the 2000 census...
- Union UniversityUnion UniversityUnion University is a private, evangelical Christian, liberal arts university located in Jackson, Tennessee, with additional campuses in Germantown, Tennessee, and Hendersonville, Tennessee...
- Jackson, TennesseeJackson, TennesseeJackson is a city in Madison County, Tennessee, United States. The total population was 65,211 at the 2010 census. Jackson is the primary city of the Jackson, Tennessee metropolitan area, which is included in the Jackson-Humboldt, Tennessee Combined Statistical Area... - Carson-Newman CollegeCarson-Newman CollegeCarson–Newman College is a historically Baptist liberal arts college located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, United States. Enrollment as of 2006-2007 was about 2,050. The college's students come from 44 U.S. states and 30 other countries. Studies are offered in approximately 90 different academic...
- Jefferson City, TennesseeJefferson City, TennesseeJefferson City is a city in Jefferson County, Tennessee, United States. It is part of the Morristown, Tennessee Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 7,760 at the 2000 census. The city was originally named Mossy Creek, but was changed in 1901 to honor Thomas Jefferson... - North Greenville UniversityNorth Greenville UniversityNorth Greenville University is a comprehensive university affiliated with South Carolina Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention, and is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The institution awards Bachelor, Master, and...
- Greenville, South CarolinaGreenville, South Carolina-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families... - Mississippi CollegeMississippi CollegeMississippi College, also known as MC, is a private, Christian university located in Clinton, Mississippi. Mississippi College comprises the main campus in Clinton, as well as satellite campuses in Brandon and Madison, Mississippi, and the Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson...
- Clinton, MississippiClinton, MississippiClinton is a city in Hinds County, Mississippi, United States. Situated in the Jackson metropolitan area, it is the tenth largest city in Mississippi. The population was 23,347 at the 2000 United States Census.-History:... - Gulfshore Baptist Assembly Center - Pass Christian, MississippiPass Christian, MississippiPass Christian , nicknamed The Pass, is a city in Harrison County, Mississippi, United States, along the Gulf of Mexico. It is part of the Gulfport–Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area...
(closed during 2006 due to Hurricane KatrinaHurricane KatrinaHurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
, and moved to William Carey CollegeWilliam Carey CollegeWilliam Carey University is a private Christian liberal arts college located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi in the United States, affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and the Mississippi Baptist Convention. The main campus is located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi; there are two subsidiary...
in Hattiesburg, MississippiHattiesburg, MississippiHattiesburg is a city in Forrest County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 44,779 at the 2000 census . It is the county seat of Forrest County...
) - Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center - Lynchburg, VirginiaLynchburg, VirginiaLynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 75,568 as of 2010. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the "City of Seven Hills" or "The Hill City." Lynchburg was the only major city in...
- Springmaid Beach Resort - Myrtle Beach, South CarolinaMyrtle Beach, South CarolinaMyrtle Beach is a coastal city on the east coast of the United States in Horry County, South Carolina. It is situated on the center of a large and continuous stretch of beach known as the Grand Strand in northeastern South Carolina. It is considered to be a major tourist destination in the...
- Marriott Baypoint Resort - Panama City Beach, FloridaPanama City Beach, FloridaPanama City Beach is a city in Bay County, Florida, United States, on the Gulf of Mexico coast. The city is often referred to under the umbrella term of "Panama City", despite being a distinct municipality from the older and larger inland Panama City to the east, making Panama City and Panama City...
- Jenness Park - Cold Springs, CaliforniaCold Springs, Tuolumne County, CaliforniaCold Springs is a census-designated place in Tuolumne County, California. Cold Springs sits at an elevation of . The 2010 United States census reported Cold Springs's population was 181.-Geography:...
- Skycroft Conference Center - Middletown, MarylandMiddletown, MarylandMiddletown is a town in Frederick County, Maryland, United States. The population was 2,668 at the 2000 census. Middletown is a small, rural community steeped in American history...
- West Virginia Wesleyan CollegeWest Virginia Wesleyan CollegeWest Virginia Wesleyan College is a regionally accredited private, coeducational, liberal arts college in Buckhannon, West Virginia, United States. It has an enrollment of about 1,400 students from 35 U.S. states and 26 countries. The school was founded in 1890 by the West Virginia Conference of...
- Buckhannon, West VirginiaBuckhannon, West VirginiaBuckhannon is the only incorporated city in, and the county seat of, Upshur County, West Virginia, United States, and is located along the Buckhannon River. The population was 5,725 at the 2000 census. Buckhannon is home to West Virginia Wesleyan College and the West Virginia Strawberry Festival,... - Camp Little Cloud - Peosta, IowaPeosta, IowaPeosta is a city in Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, and an exurb of the city of Dubuque. It is part of the Dubuque, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,377 in the 2010 census, an increase of 111.5% from 651 in the 2000 census...
- Pu'u Kahea Baptist Conference Center - Waianae, Hawaii
- Inlow Camp and Conference Center - Torreon, New MexicoTorreon, Torrance County, New MexicoTorreon is a farming community and census-designated place in Torrance County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 244 at the 2000 census...
- Sivells Baptist Retreat and Conference Center - Cloudcroft, New MexicoCloudcroft, New MexicoCloudcroft is a village in Otero County, New Mexico and is within the Lincoln National Forest. The population was 749 at the 2000 census. Despite being located in an otherwise arid region, its extremely high elevation allows for a relatively mild summer that makes it a popular tourist attraction...
- Hesperus Baptist Camp - Hesperus, ColoradoHesperus, ColoradoHesperus is an unincorporated town and a U.S. Post Office located in La Plata County, Colorado, United States. The Hesperus Post Office has the ZIP Code 81326.-See also:* Durango Micropolitan Statistical Area* Old Spanish National Historic Trail...
- Mountain Top Baptist Assembly - Casper, WyomingCasper, WyomingCasper is the county seat of Natrona County, Wyoming, United States.. Casper is the second-largest city in Wyoming , according to the 2010 census, with a population of 55,316...
- Bambi Lake Retreat and Conference Center - Roscommon, MichiganRoscommon, MichiganRoscommon is a village in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 1,133. It is the county seat of Roscommon County....
- Riverview Bible Camp - Cusick, WashingtonCusick, WashingtonCusick is a town in Pend Oreille County, Washington, United States. The population was 207 at the 2010 census.-History:Cusick occupies the former site of the largest village of the Pend d'Oreilles tribe, where as many as 1000 people once lived....
- Aldersgate Conference Center - Turner, OregonTurner, OregonTurner is a city in Marion County, Oregon, United States. The population was 1,199 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Salem Metropolitan Statistical Area...
Past themes
| 2011 | Connect |
| 2010 | Kairos: Defining Moments |
| 2009 | Move |
| 2008 | Kilimanjaro |
| 2007 | The Underground |
| 2006 | Thrill Ride |
| 2005 | Masterpiece |
| 2004 | Driven |
| 2003 | It's All About Me |
| 2002 | Reel Life |
| 2001 | Virtual Reality |
| 2000 | Face to Face |
| 1999 | Whatever... ya gotta gotta love |
| 1998 | Expedition |
| 1997 | Extreme |
| 1996 | Our World Your Serve |
| 1995 | Major League |
| 1994 | Keys 4 U |
| 1993 | Reach The Peak |
| 1992 | Decision |
| 1991 | Myth or Message |
| 1990 | Impact |
| 1989 | Good News for Fast Times |
| 1988 | Carry On |
| 1987 | On Track |
| 1986 | Glory! |
| 1985 | The Adventure Begins |
| 1984 | ?? |
| 1983 | ?? |
| 1982 | New Frontiers |
| 1981 | ?? |
| 1980 | ?? |
| 1979 | Glory! |