Local News - August 2003

Camp meeting continues its religious traditions

By AMY WADSWORTH, Staff Writer

Attending the two week Rock Springs Camp meeting in Denver each summer is a tradition for many. This year marks the 174th year.

Joyce Ballard of Mooresville is almost 70-years-old, and has been coming to the event at Rock Springs Campground all her life.

She owns two tents — one had been her great-great grandfather, George Ballard’s, and the other was acquired by Joyce, her brother and her sister.

 She said she took a week off to come to the camp meeting.

“I like just being with all the people,” she said. “I went to high school in Denver so I get to see all of the people I went to school with.”

Ballard’s wall in the tent is covered with pictures from over the years. She said she rarely misses a camp meeting.

“It’s not the same if I miss,” she said. “I make pictures every year.”

Ballard said she likes what the camp meeting has to offer.

“The church services are good,” she said. “And I like the fellowship.”

 Her cousin, Georgiana Hicks, has been coming  to the camp meeting from Winston-Salem for 29 years.

“I come both weekends of the camp, Little Weekend, which is this weekend and Big Weekend which is next weekend,” she said. “I grew up with the camp meetings.”

Ballard also had her two grandchildren with her from Troutman, Whitney, 16 and Caitlin, 13.

Sunday afternoon, 12-week-old Jayleigh Drewery, and her great-grandmother, Mary Ellen Dellinger of Lincolnton spent some quality time together at their rock garden located at the arbor.

The rock garden is in honor of Dellinger and her husband Kirby and is put together each year by her daughter, Joette.

Dellinger said her family comes every year and takes three weeks vacation for the meeting.

“We love to come here,” she said. “It is so peaceful here, I always dread when it is time to go home.”

Dellinger says she met her husband when they both attended the camp meeting in 1949.

“A year later we were married,” she said. “It was exactly at the same time a year later.”

This year’s Methodist Rock Springs Camp Meeting is currently in session, and will continue through Sunday, August 10 in Denver at Rock Springs Campground. The public is invited to attend all events whether residing on the campground or not.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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