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{{Southern Baptists}}
{{Southern Baptists}}


'''FUGE Camps''' is a series of [[Christianity|Christian]] [[summer camp]]s for children, youth, and young adults centered on [[Bible study (Christian)|Bible study]], [[worship]], [[Mission (Christianity)|mission work]], and recreational activities organized by [[LifeWay Christian Resources]] of the [[Southern Baptist Convention]]. FUGE Camps is the world's largest summer camp, as well as the world's largest Christian camp. FUGE Camps offers four different styles of camp, where churches can choose to attend either Centrifuge (CFUGE or CF) or Mission Fuge (MFUGE or MF). At "combo" locations, churches can choose to do a mixture of these, if they desire, to meet their student's needs. A Student Leader Apprentice program is also offered for students entering or leaving their senior year of high school. College students and adults may apply to work as a staffer when they turn 19 years of age, and have been out of high school for at least one year.
'''FUGE Camps''' is a series of [[Christianity|Christian]] [[summer camp]]s for children, youth, and young adults centered on [[Bible study (Christian)|Bible study]], [[worship]], [[Mission (Christianity)|mission work]], and recreational activities organized by [[LifeWay Christian Resources]] of the [[Southern Baptist Convention]]. FUGE Camps offers four different styles of camp, where churches can choose to attend either Centrifuge (CFUGE or CF) or Mission Fuge (MFUGE or MF). At "combo" locations, churches can choose to do a mixture of these, if they desire, to meet their student's needs.


==Background==
==Background==
Since 1979 FUGE 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 Resources]]) turned into a youth ministry movement.
Since 1979 FUGE 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 Resources]]) turned into a youth ministry movement.

FUGE 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, FUGE 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. Each summer, FUGE Camps hosts almost 60,000 students.


===Programming===
===Programming===
FUGE Camps are open to students who have just completed grades 6–12. College students and adults can attend camp as Adult Sponsors. They are centered on the youth groups of Christian churches, particularly (though not exclusively) [[Baptist]] churches. The camps offer a "staffer who does the work so that your youth staff are free to deepen their relationships with both students and God."
FUGE Camps are open to students who have just completed grades 6–12. College students and adults can attend camp as Adult Sponsors. They are centered on the youth groups of Christian churches, particularly (though not exclusively) [[Baptist]] churches.

The FUGE experience includes:
* Strong small-group youth Bible study, led by a trained camp staffer ''(CF, MF)''
* Team-building activity ''(CF)''
* Missions Activities in the local community ''(MF)''
* Morning and evening worship services ''(CF, MF)''
* Various Night Life experiences, including Mega Relay ''(CF, MF)''

===Typical schedule===
Though FUGE Camps vary slightly at each location due to differences in personnel and available facilities, a typical day at FUGE would include:

'''Centrifuge Camp Schedule'''

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
! Time !! Event
|-
| 7:00&nbsp;a.m. || Breakfast <ref>Food at Centrifuge camps is usually served in a college dining facility or a camp cafeteria.</ref>
|-
| 8:15&nbsp;a.m. || Morning Celebration <ref name="ReferenceA">A morning show including the camp emcee; usually including game-show style contests, worship, and prayer.</ref>
|-
| 9:00&nbsp;a.m. || Recreation <ref>Students participate in recreational activities with their Bible study group.</ref>
|-
| 10:30&nbsp;a.m. || Quiet Time/Bible Study
|-
| 12:00&nbsp;p.m. || Lunch
|-
| 1:10&nbsp;p.m. || Track Rally <ref>Students meet up with their assigned Track groups at this time.</ref>
|-
| 1:20&nbsp;p.m. || Track A <ref>There are two "Track Times" during each normal day of Centrifuge. During these times, campers attend Christian discipleship classes, seminars on Christian topics, recreational opportunities, and the like, all based upon the available offerings. Some examples are: Laser Tag, Hiking, Battleball (Intense Dodgeball), Apologetics, Creative Painting, and Random Acts of Service.</ref>
|-
| 2:20&nbsp;p.m. || Track Rally
|-
| 2:30&nbsp;p.m. || Track B
|-
| 3:30&nbsp;p.m. || Hang Time
|-
| 5:00&nbsp;p.m. || Dinner
|-
| 6:30&nbsp;p.m. || Worship <ref name="ReferenceB">Each night, the entire camp gathers in the central auditorium for Christian worship, with hymns, contemporary songs, Scripture reading, an evangelistic sermon, and a time of invitation to Christian discipleship with various bands and preachers.</ref>
|-
| 8:00&nbsp;p.m. || Church-group devotion <ref>Each night after worship, campers join the other students from the church with whom they came to Centrifuge for a devotion led by the leader of that group.</ref>
|-
| 9:45&nbsp;p.m. || Night Life (Mega Relay on the last night) <ref name="ReferenceC">The evening is capped off with a camp-wide assembly that ranges from a talent show to game show-style contests.</ref>
|-
| 10:30&nbsp;p.m. || Hang Time
|-
| 11:00&nbsp;p.m. || In rooms
|-
| 11:30&nbsp;p.m. || Lights out
|}

'''MFUGE Camp Schedule'''
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
! Time !! Event
|-
| 7:00&nbsp;a.m. || Breakfast <ref>Food at FUGE Camps is usually served in a college dining facility or a camp cafeteria.</ref>
|-
| 8:00&nbsp;a.m. || Morning Celebration <ref name="ReferenceA"/>
|-
| 8:45&nbsp;a.m. || Quiet Time/Bible Study
|-
| 11:00&nbsp;a.m. || Lunch on Campus
|-
| 11:45&nbsp;a.m. || Site send-off rally
|-
| 12:00&nbsp;p.m. || Depart for Ministry Sites
|-
| 4:00&nbsp;p.m. || Return from Ministry Sites, Hang Time (Free Time)
|-
| 5:30&nbsp;p.m. || Dinner
|-
| 7:00&nbsp;p.m. || Worship <ref name="ReferenceB"/>
|-
| 9:00&nbsp;p.m. || Church-group devotion <ref>Each night after worship, campers join the other students from the church with whom they came to camp for a devotion led by their youth leader.</ref>
|-
| 9:45&nbsp;p.m. || Night life (Mega Relay on the last night) <ref name="ReferenceC"/>
|-
| 10:30&nbsp;p.m. || Hang Time
|-
| 11:00&nbsp;p.m. || In rooms
|-
| 11:30&nbsp;p.m. || Lights out
|}


===Locations===
===Locations===
Summer 2018, there were FUGE Camps located at:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fugecamps.com/events/map/|title=Camp Map|last=|first=|date=|website=FUGE Camps|publisher=|access-date=}}</ref>
Locations of FUGE camps:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Camp Locations |url=http://www.fugecamps.com/events/map/ |website=FUGE Camps}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Location
!Location
Line 201: Line 112:
|-
|-
|[[Eastern University (United States)|Eastern University]]
|[[Eastern University (United States)|Eastern University]]
|[[St. Davids, Pennsylvania|St. Davids]]
|[[Philadelphia]]
|[[Pennsylvania]]
|[[Pennsylvania]]
|1999
|1999
Line 258: Line 169:
|[[Virginia]]
|[[Virginia]]
|2024
|2024
|MF
|CF, MF
|-
|-
|[[Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary]]
|[[Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary]]
Line 277: Line 188:
|2024
|2024
|CF
|CF
|-
|[[Eastern University (United States)|Eastern University]]
|[[Philadelphia]]
|[[Pennsylvania]]
|
|MF
|-
|-
|[[James Madison University]]
|[[James Madison University]]
Line 313: Line 218:
|2025
|2025
|CF
|CF
|-
|[[Liberty University]]
|[[Lynchburg, Virginia|Lynchburg]]
|[[Virginia]]
|
|CF, MF
|-
|-
|[[Milligan University]]
|[[Milligan University]]
Line 337: Line 236:
|2025
|2025
|CF
|CF
|}

==Themes==
{| class="wikitable"
|2025
|Into The Light
|-
|2024
|Revival Generation
|-
|2023
|In His Image
|-
|2022
|Matchless One
|-
|2021
|Dwell
|-
|2019
|Restored
|-
|2018
|The Mission
|-
|2017
|Convergence
|-
|2016
|Unashamed
|-
| 2015
| Alive and Free
|-
| 2014
| Be
|-
| 2013
| The Big Picture
|-
| 2012
| Pursuit
|-
| 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
| Getting Your Signals Straight
|-
| 1983
| Eternal Truth
|-
| 1982
| New Horizons
|-
| 1981
| ''unknown''
|-
| 1980
| ''unknown''
|-
| 1979
| Glory!
|}
|}


== FUGE Staff Structure ==
== FUGE Staff Structure ==
FUGE Camp staffs typically consist of 20-30 staffers, but can be as small as 12 staffers or as large as 60. Each location has a Camp Director, assistant director, Financial Director, and Program Director. Locations that offer Centrifuge will have a Recreation Director and Bible Study Leaders. Locations that offer MFuge will have a Site Director and ministry Track Leaders. Each location has a Video Producer, who makes daily and weekly videos. Larger locations will hire FUGE Support Staffers who help with set up, tear down, and other office tasks. Some locations have full-summer bands, which are referred to as "Staff Bands." These band members will also be Bible Study Leaders or Ministry Track Leaders. At other locations, they hire "Contract Bands" that change each week. These bands only play during morning celebration and worship. Camps have a different Pastor each week.
FUGE Camp staffs typically consist of 20-30 staffers, but can be as small as 12 staffers or as large as 60. Each location has a Camp Director, assistant director, Financial Director, and Program Director. Locations that offer Centrifuge will have a Recreation Director and Bible Study Leaders. Locations that offer MFuge will have a Site Director and ministry Track Leaders. Each location has a Video Producer, who makes daily and weekly videos. Larger locations will hire FUGE Support Staffers who help with set up, tear down, and other office tasks. Some locations have full-summer bands, which are referred to as "Staff Bands." These band members will also be Bible Study Leaders or Ministry Track Leaders.

There are also other positions that are required on each staff, but are usually taken on by Ministry Track Leaders or Bible Study Leaders. These positions include Photographer, Backpacker, Missions Mobilizer, and Emcee.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://fugecamps.com/employment|title=Employment|date=2015-02-18|work=Fuge|access-date=2018-02-18|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Mission FUGE==
Mission FUGE (MFuge) originally started in 1995 and was the second Centrifuge spin-off.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.fugecamps.com/history/|title=History|last=|first=|date=|website=FUGE Camps|publisher=|access-date=}}</ref> MFuge takes the traditional Centrifuge structure and reorients it toward mission work. Instead of offering track times and recreation during the day like Centrifuge does, those activities are replaced with missions work such as working in soup kitchens, volunteering at community centers, or cutting grass in neighborhood communities. Students also have the opportunity to minister by facilitating games and other recreation at local apartment complexes or [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America|Boys and Girls Clubs]]; visiting assisted-living facilities and nursing homes; and doing yard work for the elderly and other needy people.

MFuge track availability varies by location, but include:
* Games and Recreation
* Children's
* Social
* Painting, Construction, and Yardwork (PCY)
* Homeless
* Special Needs
* Evangelism
* Beach Evangelism
* International
* Peer


==Crosspoint sports camp==
==Crosspoint sports camp==
Crosspoint originally started in 1986.<ref name=":0" /> It was the first Centrifuge spin off. Crosspoint is designed to combine the structure of Centrifuge with the sports-skills teaching of the traditional sports daycamp. The programming and sports instruction is designed for students in grades 4–8. 2009 was the last year LifeWay ran a kids' camp by the name "Crosspoint." All the sports once included in Crosspoint have now been implemented in [[LifeWay Christian Resources|LifeWay]]'s CentriKid camp.
Crosspoint originally started in 1986.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.fugecamps.com/history/|title=History|last=|first=|date=|website=FUGE Camps|publisher=|access-date=}}</ref> It was the first Centrifuge spin off. Crosspoint is designed to combine the structure of Centrifuge with the sports-skills teaching of the traditional sports daycamp. The programming and sports instruction is designed for students in grades 4–8. 2009 was the last year LifeWay ran a kids' camp by the name "Crosspoint." All the sports once included in Crosspoint have now been implemented in [[LifeWay Christian Resources|LifeWay]]'s CentriKid camp.


==XFUGE and XFUGE on Mission (2005-2018)==
==XFUGE and XFUGE on Mission (2005-2018)==
XFUGE and XFUGE on Mission took the general template of a normal FUGE Camp and removed many of the traditional "summer camp" aspects, like assemblies and structured track times and reoriented the experience toward a Christian retreat: spiritual formation was conducted through worship experiences and optional missions work, but leisure activities, such as swimming or sunbathing on the beach, were more prominent. XFUGE and XFUGE on mission allowed church youth groups to "design" a camp based on their own personal needs.
XFUGE and XFUGE on Mission took the general template of a normal FUGE Camp and removed many of the traditional "summer camp" aspects, like assemblies and structured track times and reoriented the experience toward a Christian retreat: spiritual formation was conducted through worship experiences and optional missions work, but leisure activities, such as swimming or sunbathing on the beach, were more prominent.


The XFUGE variants to the FUGE experience were first offered in the Summer of 2005 with great success. XFUGE was offered every year thereafter, coming to and end in 2018 (the last year they offered XFUGE).
The XFUGE variants to the FUGE experience were first offered in the Summer of 2005. XFUGE was offered every year thereafter, coming to and end in 2018 (the last year they offered XFUGE).


==Notes==
==Notes==

Latest revision as of 19:11, 31 August 2024

FUGE Camps is a series of Christian summer camps for children, youth, and young adults centered on Bible study, worship, mission work, and recreational activities organized by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. FUGE Camps offers four different styles of camp, where churches can choose to attend either Centrifuge (CFUGE or CF) or Mission Fuge (MFUGE or MF). At "combo" locations, churches can choose to do a mixture of these, if they desire, to meet their student's needs.

Background

[edit]

Since 1979 FUGE 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 Resources) turned into a youth ministry movement.

Programming

[edit]

FUGE Camps are open to students who have just completed grades 6–12. College students and adults can attend camp as Adult Sponsors. They are centered on the youth groups of Christian churches, particularly (though not exclusively) Baptist churches.

Locations

[edit]

Locations of FUGE camps:[1]

Location City State First Summer Hosting Camps Hosted
Ridgecrest Conference Center Ridgecrest North Carolina 1979 (Original Location) CF, MF, XF, XFM
Glorieta Conference Center Glorieta New Mexico 1979 (Original Location) CF, MF, XF, XFM
Union University Jackson Tennessee 1987 CF
Carson-Newman University Jefferson City Tennessee 1990 CF, MF, XF, XFM
North Greenville University Tigerville South Carolina 1982 CF, MF, XF, XFM
Mississippi College Clinton Mississippi 2002 CF, MF, XF, XFM
Jenness Park Cold Springs California 1983 CF
Shalimar Retreat Center Panama City Beach Florida 1990 CF, XF
Shorter University Rome Georgia 2016 CF
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville Kentucky 2013 MF, XFM
University of Mobile Mobile Alabama 1981 CF, MF, XF, XFM
Belmont University Nashville Tennessee 1997 MF, XFM
Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach Florida MF, XFM
Charleston Southern University Charleston South Carolina 2000 MF, XFM
Mile High Pines Angelus Oaks California CF
Eastern University St. Davids Pennsylvania 1999 MF, XFM
Houston Baptist University Houston Texas 2013 MF, XFM
Liberty University Lynchburg Virginia 2016 CF, MF, XF, XFM
Southwest Baptist University Bolivar Missouri 2011 CF
Louisiana College Pineville Louisiana 2017 MF, XFM
Shocco Springs Conference Center Talladega Alabama 2017 CF, XF
Fairmont State University Fairmont West Virginia 2018 CF
Louisiana Christian University Pineville Louisiana 2024 CF, MF
Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia Arkansas 2024 CF, MF
Regent University Virginia Beach Virginia 2024 CF, MF
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Fort Worth Texas 2024 CF, MF
Southern Wesleyan University Central South Carolina 2024 CF, MF
William Carey University Hattiesburg Mississippi 2024 CF
James Madison University Harrisonburg Virginia 2024 CF, MF
Missouri Baptist University St. Louis Missouri 2024 MF
Chowan University Murfreesboro North Carolina 2024 CF
Cumberland University Lebanon Tennessee MF
Highland Lakes Camp Martinsville Indiana 2025 CF
Milligan University Milligan Tennessee 2025 CF, MF
Southeastern Univeresity Lakeland Florida 2024 CF, MF
WorldSong Retreat Center Cook Springs Alabama 2025 CF

FUGE Staff Structure

[edit]

FUGE Camp staffs typically consist of 20-30 staffers, but can be as small as 12 staffers or as large as 60. Each location has a Camp Director, assistant director, Financial Director, and Program Director. Locations that offer Centrifuge will have a Recreation Director and Bible Study Leaders. Locations that offer MFuge will have a Site Director and ministry Track Leaders. Each location has a Video Producer, who makes daily and weekly videos. Larger locations will hire FUGE Support Staffers who help with set up, tear down, and other office tasks. Some locations have full-summer bands, which are referred to as "Staff Bands." These band members will also be Bible Study Leaders or Ministry Track Leaders.

Crosspoint sports camp

[edit]

Crosspoint originally started in 1986.[2] It was the first Centrifuge spin off. Crosspoint is designed to combine the structure of Centrifuge with the sports-skills teaching of the traditional sports daycamp. The programming and sports instruction is designed for students in grades 4–8. 2009 was the last year LifeWay ran a kids' camp by the name "Crosspoint." All the sports once included in Crosspoint have now been implemented in LifeWay's CentriKid camp.

XFUGE and XFUGE on Mission (2005-2018)

[edit]

XFUGE and XFUGE on Mission took the general template of a normal FUGE Camp and removed many of the traditional "summer camp" aspects, like assemblies and structured track times and reoriented the experience toward a Christian retreat: spiritual formation was conducted through worship experiences and optional missions work, but leisure activities, such as swimming or sunbathing on the beach, were more prominent.

The XFUGE variants to the FUGE experience were first offered in the Summer of 2005. XFUGE was offered every year thereafter, coming to and end in 2018 (the last year they offered XFUGE).

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ "Camp Locations". FUGE Camps.
  2. ^ "History". FUGE Camps.
[edit]