Fifteen years ago, Camp Cadiz was but a fledgling idea — brought forth by a few local volunteers, a handful of Trigg County youths, a list of small projects around the community and a dry roof at the Recreation Complex.
This year, there are more than 120 adults and 80 students on board — faith in action each passing moment.
Made possible through private and public donations, a budget of more than $16,000 annually stretches into more than 80 projects and counting, more than 120 hot meals delivered to the elderly and needy per day, gasoline for power tools and landscaping equipment, food and drinks for students and staff, and any other supplies needed to make the five-day, four-night foray into philanthropy and Christian philosophy a complete, transforming experience for all involved.
So intricate is the minutiae now, Camp Cadiz organizers Andrea Hampton, Marc Frye and Becky Joe Marlowe have to refer to a big thick binder full of itineraries, work orders and random acts of kindness ideas — just to keep everything sorted and in line.
That, Frye noted, is how much this has all grown since 2010.
A full-circle moment came for Frye earlier this week, when former Camp Cadiz participant Bro. Chris McKenzie — a 2011 Trigg County High School graduate — returned for evening worship, offering his own sermon to students.
This week, Hampton said there are two snapshots in time that reminded her why Camp Cadiz needs to continue as long as it can — especially as young adults continue to climb aboard and learn to run this community carousel.
Working with Camp Cadiz for a fourth year through its Vacation Bible School at The Way Christian Youth Center, as well as some other endeavors, Michelle Fisher said she initially thought she was “crazy” for getting involved.
That attitude swiftly changed.
Kathy Gibson, a retiree transplant and long-time volunteer at The Way, has been carrying a clipboard all week — organizing what’s been a massive march of meals from the cook teams spread all over Trigg County.
Gibson’s friend, Marshall County native and retiree Greta Smith, is now fully involved with The Way’s efforts — including the new building project and the assuming duties of the Trigg County Country Ham Festival ham-and-biscuit.
This is her first year with Camp Cadiz, after being invited to come out and assist.
Above anything, Smith said she was taken pleasantly by surprise with her random-acts-of-kindness team, one that’s been so busy visiting with everyone in Cadiz. After playing BINGO with residents of Shady Lawn Nursing Home Wednesday afternoon, she said many of the kids plan to visit, or at least keep pen pals, with some of the Trigg County’s elderly population.
The Thursday night sermon, set for 7 PM at Liberty Point Baptist Church, is a capstone moment — a time to regale, with humility, in what the week has been like, and what service above self truly means.
Bro. Paxton Redd, a Trigg County native and former Camp Cadiz assistant, is one of many slated to speak in the reunion.
