Hayesville – Many people do not realize there’s a place in Clay County where many boys and girls have made summer camp memories for almost 70 years.
Local children, as well as those from miles away have enjoyed their time at the Truett Camp with activities like swimming, singing, hiking and learning about Jesus. Truett Camp first opened right outside downtown as a boys camp in 1953, while the girls camp was added in 1954.
Since then, thousands of children have bunked at the camp. Many of them have later sent their own children to make memories at Truett.
“We have added several other summer options,” Camp Director Kenny Adcock said. “Boys camp, girls camp, co-ed children's camp, co-ed youth group camp, grandparent camp, mini-camp for both boys and girls for younger children.
“Plus. the different options for the off-season camps. Father-son weekend retreat, mother-daughter retreat, college and high school winter retreats.”
90-acre retreat
With 90 acres, the facility includes bunkhouses, a dining hall, a game room, a gymnasium and other buildings. The Conference Center contains 20 hotel-style rooms for those who may not want to overnight in a bunkhouse. In addition to accommodations for group events, Truett Camp offers recreation and meals for guests.
Kenny Adcock and his family arrived at Truett Camp in August 2018.
“Truett was looking for a fresh start with someone who had experience and could take what has already been done and continue to carry the torch for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ,” Adcock said.
He and his wife, Beth, have worked in full-time ministry since 1998, when he became associate pastor at Starnes Cove Baptist Church in Asheville. He also started work with The Southern Seminary of Louisville.
The Adcocks served two churches prior to entering full-time camp ministry work in 2002. They have three children and also minister to other children from around the world.
“Since my tenure here, we have implemented more than 18 new programmed events with something happening now every month,” Adcock said. “We anticipate adding more new programs each month that will provide people, near and far, opportunities for affordable quality events that people can come and not have to worry about the logistics of what it means to put on such an event, so that they can rest and enjoy this beautiful property.
“Or a group can take advantage of us providing clean, comfortable accommodations with first-class food while they provide their own programming.”
Meet the staff
Other staff members at Truett Camp are operations and special programs coordinator Matt Brubaker and guest services coordinator Katie Redmond.
Brubaker and his family came to Truett in January 2019.
“There was a need to offer full-time attention to provide quality programming and needing the right person for overseeing the daily operations of the facility so we can better serve our guests,” he said. “Matt continues to help us raise the bar in this area.”
It is important to Brubaker to help guests have a memorable experience and he enjoys seeing people grow closer to God. He also enjoys woodworking, writing novels and being outdoors. He and wife, Julie Brubaker, feel blessed by God to be living in the western North Carolina mountains.
Katie Redmond joined the staff in September 2020. Before that, she and husband, Jake Redmond, served in full-time local church ministry in South Carolina. She was hired to fill a much-needed role, Adcock said.
“A need to offer full time attention to provide quality programming and needing the right person for overseeing the daily operations of the office, housekeeping and our food services so we can better serve our guests,” he added. “Katie has taken on a great role and fulfilled well by adding her personality to her role, which has given us a professional presentation with the backbone to carry it out.”
Redmond graduated from Southern Wesleyan University, where her summers were spent at various summer camps supporting camp ministries. In addition, she has worked in guest services at a South Dakota camp.
She is excited to be here because her own experiences have shown her how God can change lives at camp. The couple have two young children and she likes to hike, visit local coffee shops and make art.
Adcock said a new staff member will join the team in mid-September. Phillip Yarborough will arrive as the summer camp and interns coordinator. For details, visit www.truettcamp.org.