Tharptown Baptist’s youth group visited Earle Trent Assembly retreat center located on Shoals Creek north of Florence for their annual summer camp this year. Earle Trent is a Christian retreat center focused on offering individuals of all ages spiritual rejuvenation in a natural environment. All organizations are encouraged to bring their groups to take advantage of what they have to offer. The facility was named after Rev. Earle Trent, the Colbert Lauderdale Baptist Association Director of Missions from 1958 to 1976.

Earle Trent Assembly includes 94 acres of scenery. The Colbert-Lauderdale Baptist Association owns and runs ETA. In April, they welcomed a new director, following the departure of Pat Gallagher who had been over the camp site since 2008. David Quimby has now stepped into the role of director.

Tharptown Baptist’s youth group has been visiting ETA for seven years as their summer retreat. The group took about 30 children from grades 6-12 this year compared to their usual 25-30 kids they host every Sunday and Wednesday night, along with visitors from other churches, worship leaders and guest speakers. Tyler Kitterman lead worship, and Keith Eddy made an appearance to speak to the students.

Sarah Kate Kiel, a Tharptown Baptist student and recent graduate of Russellville High School, said their annual trip symbolizes growth over the years throughout their youth group. “As I look back, I not only see how much I have grown personally in my relationship with the Lord, but also how we’ve grown as a group. It is a special week to get away from day-to-day life and truly spend time in worship with some of the best of friends.”

The camp schedule consisted of many different activities throughout the day. Each day, campers woke up to breakfast in the cafeteria followed by quiet time and then morning worship. The group then played games leading up to lunch time. After lunch, students broke off into small groups for discussion. Campers were allotted free time daily between lunch and dinner to partake in any camp activities or to rest. Dinner was followed by evening worship, and interactive activities before bed.

This year, the youth group got to spend some time on the lake as well. Because Earle Trent is on the water, the camp has access to a boat ramp. Eddy Garner, the interim pastor of Tharptown Baptist, brought his boat for the students to enjoy. Thanks to Garner, lake time was one of the highlights of this year’s trip. In addition to swimming, the students got to go tubing as well.

Travis Flannagin has been the Tharptown Baptist youth pastor for five years. Flannagin expressed how much the camp has grown to mean to him and his wife Samantha Flannagin. She teaches history at Tharptown High School. The two have been married since February of 2023 and share a love for children and ministry.

“I have always had a special calling for kids,” Travis Flannagin said. “This camp is a time for our kids to have the opportunity to grow in their faith, and it’s a wonderful thing to experience.”

The Flannagins announced to their students that they are expecting to grow their youth group with a child of their own. “That baby will be so loved by all of us,” Kiel said. “I know this baby, Travis and Samantha have been prayed over for so long, and this is the biggest blessing!”

For more information about scheduling an event at Earle Trent Assembly, contact David Quimby at 256-762-4147 or at earletrent.assembly@clbaptist.com. Earl Trent Assembly is located at 1245 Spring Cove Road in Florence, Ala.