Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

June 28, 2007 issue


Boone United Methodist Group Participate in Carolina Cross Connection

Faith-Based Service Experience Teaches Christ-Like Principles

Story by David Brewer

Though Boone United Methodist Youth Pastor Vern Collins has been accompanying youth for nearly a decade each summer to participate in the Christian service camp known as Carolina Cross Connection (CCC), each trip has been a special and rewarding experience for him, as well as the campers.

Started in the summer of 1988 by a Methodist church in Lincolnton, N.C., CCC has grown from a small endeavor with less than 100 campers performing manual labor tasks to a much larger operation. CCC now encompasses five camps and nearly 1,300 campers, annually helping approximately 800 families across areas of the Piedmont and Western North Carolina.

Participants from around the country attend CCC camp locations including Camp Carolwood in Caldwell County, Camp Elk Shoals in Ashe County, Camp Loy White in Cleveland County, Camp McCall in Rutherford County and Joshua Youth Camp in Stanly County. This year’s trip was the Boone UMC’s first to Camp Carolwood.

Each year, students and chaperones who attend the camp are assigned to families or projects near the camps, working on various manual labor duties including yard work, interior and exterior painting, cleaning and minor construction projects such as building handicap-accessible ramps and roof repair.

“It’s really anything that people might need done that they can’t do themselves or can’t afford to do,” said Collins. “It really puts feet to what we talk about all year. The whole week is about focusing on other people and their needs.”

After long days working in the community, participants return to their base camps, spending most evenings working on spiritual reflection and personal growth exercises through their service experience.

“I think it makes it all real for them. Anyone can serve and anyone can reach out,” said Collins. “I think when they’re serving, they experience Christ like never before.

 “All the people that we work for are special. So many of them have so little, but are so thankful for what they do have and feel blessed,” said Collins.

Working closely with those in need has provided life-changing experiences for many Boone UMC campers during the last several years. Collins hopes that the youth from the church will continue to have such experiences for years to come.

For more info about CCC, click to www.carolinacrossconnection.org.

Boone United Methodist’s Cross Connection Crew

Along with Boone UMC Youth Pastor Vern Collins, a dedicated group of students and leaders made a recent weeklong trip to Camp Carolwood in Lenoir to help serve area families.

Wes Aycock
Josh Blackburn
Jimmy Bowen
Jake DeVernois
Chris Gotwald
Cameron Haas
Jesse Holmes
Mary Kate Huffman
Abby Huggins
Konrad Kosmala
Jason Krontz
Katie Layton
Melissa Lineberger
Alden Mast
Bryan Williams
Timo Andrews
Katie Grubbs
Vern Collins