For over 50 years, students have come to Fort Caswell to work and give of themselves for a summer of missions. 74 young men and women live with one another in close-quarters and serve nearly 10,000 guests in a variety of demanding work areas. However, the staff comes away with an experience that they will never forget.

Caswell summer staff would not be complete without the millions of stories that become legends and Caswell folklore. If you would like to share a story, please email to and keep them short.

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Read our stories...

Shawn Skipper and I worked together in 95 I believe and maybe 96. Well, this past year I taught school with his mom as my teammate. We didn't know it but halfway through the year her daughter went to see her brother in Wilmington and some pictures of me where on their digital camera from a baby shower. Shawn and and another friend said - Hey, I know that girl. they quoted my maiden name and the sister said no that's not her. She got back home and asked her mother and yes it was me. It is quite interesting to work with Shawn and then ten years later find myself working with his mom. I remember stories that Shawn would tell about his parents and how they ran Christian camps in unique places. I am so glad that we finally figured out the connection.

-Tiffany Threatt Coppenger Staff of 1995-1996

This story is from 1973. It involves a staffer from Goldsboro NC named Wayne Godwin. Wayne and I were very good friends those years. Remember those surprise thunderstorms that would come from nowhere, rain for 20 minutes then go away? One night in July I was in the Drift Inn getting set up for the evening rush when a storm hit. It was loud and hard and, as usual short. During the storm we heard lightening hit very close. We heard it hit a tin roof. The couple of us working guessed accurately that it hit the boy's staff house.

Later, after the storm, Wayne came in to the Drift Inn. I asked him where he was during the storm. With a smile he replied, "The staff house. I was using the bathroom and let me tell ya Burleson, Exlax NEVER worked that good!"

-Tim Burleson Staff of 1971-75

Tom Sherrill, in the summer of 79 or 80 was replacing the net on the basketball goal in the gym before a game. He was standing on a table under the goal and Barry Lawing came along and gave his shorts a gentle tug! There were several people in the gym watching and Toms shorts dropped to his ankles!

-Walter Grimes Staff of 1978-1981

I was served on summer staff in 1986 and 87. Those summers remain absolute blessings! Going to Caswell as a 'scamper' was great, but as a staffer, I consistently find those two summers established my firm foundation in my faith, as well as setting in motion many decisions that have led to so many blessings in my life. The first summer led me to changing colleges to Campbell University -- where I found God's calling into social work, and made friends that have been faithful in the many years since our time at 'God's summer home.' The second summer was affirmation of my chosen path and built even stronger friendships (to include the guy who would become my college roommate and, years later, preside over my marriage to my wife -thanks Steve Prevatte!). Even though back then I'd never guessed I'd ever be where I am now, serving in the US Air Force at RAF Lakenheath, England, it's great to humbly recognize God's hand in how it was all planted in my life at Caswell.

-Franklin Swayne, Maj, USAF, Summers of 1986, 1987

For almost two years I was on the year round staff, and the first winter I spent at the Assembly was special because it snowed! Eight or more inches! There was maybe a total of ten people living on the grounds. That night I was visiting a couple across parade grounds from my apt , and at the end of the evening about Ten o'clock I left to go back home. I stopped on the sidewalk near building 22 and stood about 5 minutes looking towards the cafeteria at something I will never forget. The moon was almost full, not a cloud in the sky, and the entire place was covered in white. Not another soul to be seen. Complete silence. It was winter 1980 and that memory of Caswell has stuck with me.

-Walter Grimes staff 1978-1981

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Alumni Quotes

"Caswell, now that I look back as a camper coming to Christ at 14 or as a Staffer cutting the grass that never seemed to stop growing, was one of the greatest times of my life. From the ever present Holy Spirit to the wonderful people around you, I can honestly say I am better for it. God helped me to see a new world and truth. Caswell is the experience you must not miss. "
Kevin Collins summers of 1987-1989

"It has been more than fifteen years, but I still look back on the Summers of '87 & '88 as a Caswell lifeguard as the best two summers of my life."
Monica Hancock summers of 1987-1988

"Caswell is my happy place. God blessed me by letting me work there."
Andy Motley summers of 2000-2001

"Since graduating college, I have traveled around the US to many places; Caswell, still in my heart, is my favorite place to experience God. I did as a staffer through our staff bonding, the laughter of everyday life on campus, the ocean breeze, the deep discussions of theology, cleaning toilets for kids who needed to know about Christ."
Joellen Best Wright summers of 1988 & 1989

"Working at Caswell was an unforgettable life-changing experience. After 2 summers there, my most difficult decision every summer is deciding not to work there again."
Emily Stephens summers of 1995-1997

"What can I say about Caswell? There is so much....I MET MY HUSBAND THERE!!! Besides that, God used Caswell to show me where I needed to go with my ministry. He gave me the opportunity to meet awesome people who have had huge influences in my life. Some of them are the closest friends I will ever have. Caswell is a refuge. A place where I know I can go at anytime and find peace and rest. I am truly blessed to have been a part of the ministry at Caswell for 3 summers."
Susan Coffer Allen summers of 1996-1998

"Live it up! For the rest of your life, you'll never be able to look back and remember a summer that will be better than this. "
Brandi (Ludford) Lilley summer of 1999

"The best part about my Caswell experience was what I didn't get out of it, Regrets."
David Scoville summers of 1995-1997

"The summers I spent at Caswell helped shape me into the person I am today and that I am becoming, emotionally, spiritually, and socially. Since working at there in 1997 and 98, I've been surprised at the network of staffers that exists around North Carolina. The words "I was on summer staff" have opened doors and formed connections with so many people, even those I never worked with directly."
Emily Helms summers of 1996-1997

"Working at Caswell was very much of a turning point in my life. Not only did I grow a great deal spiritually, but also as a person. Never take for granted the time you have at Caswell, for it's something you will always cherish."
Jennifer Hay Jetton summers of 2000-2001, 2005

"My three summers at Caswell were never the same. Some of the same people were there and some of the same things were done, but each summer had its own personality. Each new, and old, Staffer brought a little something different to the group. Something new to learn or old to reminisce. The one thing that was the same was that God always found a way for me to grow and learn something more about myself. My experience at Caswell molded me into who I am and changed my life forever."
Jim Bridges summers of 1994-1995, 1998

"The four summers I spent at Caswell were absolutely the best summers of my life. The friends I met there have become my best friends. Where else can you work that you look forward to getting up at 6 AM every day for an entire summer? If God had a summer home, surely it would be at Caswell."
Ryan Cole summers of 1993-1996

"Caswell was a great opportunity for me to grow closer to the Lord. It was an awesome experience serving as a summer missionary at Caswell. It will be something I always remember."
Scott Faulkner summers of 1990-1992

"Caswell was a time of self-discovery in Christ, growing as a person, forever friendships, magnificent sunsets, and a job that was perfect for me...working with the kids. Caswell is home."
Lisa Stallings, Summer Staff 2001

"Being a Caswell Staffer is an experience you can never describe and only those who have worked with you or at some other time can understand it. It is amazing how you instantly connect with other people who have worked there, even when you never knew them before. Some of my closest and dearest friends are either staffers I worked with or ones I met later. These are the people you will never forget and who when saying goodbye to them will give you the biggest heartbreak you will ever feel. You find lifetime friends and even some find lifetime partners (yes I married a Caswell Staffer) I thank God everyday for that experience and what it did for me as a person and Christian. It is something you will remember with fondness for the rest of your life. Cherish every minute if you are privileged enough to be a Summer Staffer because that time will be one, if not the most wonderful time of your life!
Mary Lewis Scoville summers of 1994-1995

"My two summers at Caswell were two of the best! Not only my fellow staffers, but the campus, the atmosphere, and of course the Caswell beach made my two experiences wonderful. I got close to God in a special way those two summers. I now take kids down to Caswell each year, and hope that Caswell will remain as special to them as it does to me."
Gwenn Coone Rackley summers of 1981-1982

"It's funny, even after 14 years away, Caswell has never left my blood and my soul. I still consider it the best summer of my life to date, and there have been 33 of those summers thus far (as many as Jesus!). I think it'll be difficult to top that experience, ever."
David Arnold summer of 1989

"Caswell is such an amazing place! The summer I spent on staff was a lifechanging time for me. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to share the experience with such an awesome group of men and women. I think everyone should have the summer staff experience at least once!"
Anna (Corpening) Edwards, summer 1998

"Caswell was a blessing to me the summer I worked there, and it still blesses me when I am able to return and for the memories I keep in my heart when I can’t. My wife and I met there. Her parents met there. I don’t how our children will ever be able to work on staff since they won’t be able to go until they’re 30 LOL."
Scott Lyle summer of ‘93