Planning for the trip actually started shortly after the first of the year when Pastor Quim (Danny) Miles became inspired to do the annual summer camp a lot differently than ever before. This year it would not be just the 10 or so youth members who went every year, but everyone who wanted to go. Another difference was that this year they would go as "a group" and not blend with others to better concentrate on the needs of the youth who attend Central Baptist.

During the six-month period from the time the idea began to form to the morning they left for camp, over $9000 dollars was raised through a variety of fund raising efforts such as pizza kits (meals in a box) and church dinners. Many caring persons donated who heard about their cause, some not even residents of Blooming Grove or members of Central Baptist Church. This allowed Pastors Darren Heil and Quim to take a total of 52 children, seventh through twelfth grades (non-members included) and senior adults to the Laguna Beach Christian Retreat in Panama City with all expenses paid.

Once there, the adults divided into small crews. These groups labored out of love as kitchen crewmembers, recreation leaders, praise and worship leaders, counselors and one designated photographer.

Working together toward the common goal of making the trip began to build unity, but the time away from their everyday life of I-pods, cell phones, and television paid off. Bonds were strengthened and the group became unified. They not only developed stronger relationships with each other, but with God and as a result, thirteen youth members were baptized by Pastor Heil in the Gulf of Mexico.

"When God gives a vision and tells you to do something, He will provide the resources,” Quim Miles said of the extraordinary amount of money raised for the trip and its wonderful results. 

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