Shocco Springs

Our church always takes a trip together every year. For the past 5-6 years, we have all went to Dollywood. We all had a great time but were ready for a change. Josh and I are youth directors and I always plan the trip. Thought we would look for something different this year and come to find out it was practically in our back yard. We heard about Shocco Springs, which is a Baptist Conference Center located in Talladega. It was WONDERFUL!! We were able to all stay together in a lodge and had all meals and activities together. It was great for all ages. We had 81 people attend the retreat from the ages of 1-80! I had to theme the retreat and came up with "Family Fun & Fellowship Retreat". I believe it was a success! No injuries or sickness, safety of travel there and back and fellowship that couldn't be beat. We got there around 11:30 on Monday AM and came back Wed. We swam, played putt-putt, ping pong, basketball, Foosball, did the aqua park(FUN!!), the men played paintball(so much fun to watch), had nightly singing w/devotion on Mon night and Bible trivia on Tues night and played board games and cards until the wee hours of the AM. The retreat was so refreshing for everyone. You can check them out at shooco.org if you think this might be something for your church to try. The grounds were so nice and the place was packed out. They served over 1200 this AM for breakfast. Kids everywhere and JOY everywhere! We had so much fun and hope to go back again. The boys enjoyed all of the water activities, they are little fish! They sang so sweet at service and slept so hard afterwards. Nothing like playing until you can't go anymore. We slept to 9:00 this AM. We were so tired but loved every minute of the trip!

This would be Houston, my little baby, jumping off the diving board into 12 ft of water. He was the only "little guy" with floaties in line for the big diving board the whole trip. The teens from the other churches thought it was so cool that Houston was so brave. He has a problem with getting in line and waiting his turn. But what was so funny, was they would all say stuff like "he's so awesome he should be able to jump as often he wants too."HA He did love being "a big boy like Justin Grzala."

They also had a log to balance on. Once you got in the middle it started spinning and you had to balance across. Of course, my little guys thought they were big and gave it a try. Levi figured it out by the 3rd time and was so intense about making it across. Check out the look. I think I can, I think I can.

A few steps out and the log is spinning.

Almost at the end and a little smile.

I made it!

Our kids choir singing.

Levi and Houston watching paintball behind the safety net. Levi wanted to do this so bad but you had to be 12 yrs. old.

All awaiting the aqua park.

We had so much fun!