Mountain T.O.P. (Tennessee Outreach Project) is an interdenominational, non-profit Christian Mission affiliated with the Tennessee Conference of the United Methodist Church, dedicated to rural life ministry in the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee. The Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee is an area distinguished by natural beauty, rich cultural textures, and a history of economic injustice and persistent rural poverty. The people of this region meet their many physical hardships with faith and resourcefulness. But the constant struggle against the indignity of poverty often gives rise to feelings of shame, loneliness, and despair that can be even more devastating than the lack of physical resources. Mountain T.O.P. takes a holistic approach to the physical, spiritual, social, and emotional needs that people face in this part of Appalachia. While the problems here are complex, our approach is simple. We believe that the heart of Christian ministry is about forming relationships through the love of Christ—a love powerful enough to overcome hopelessness, to fight injustice, and to break through the cultural, racial, and ideological barriers that divide us. Specifically, Mountain T.O.P. seeks to empower those it serves through a philosophy of partnership. Every aspect of how our camp operates is made possible through partnering with the community, local businesses, friends of the ministry and participants. For example, any family or individual we work with is given the opportunity to contribute to the project, whether that is through providing a meal for the work group or providing materials for the project. We try to be intentional in saying we work “with” a family instead of “for” a family. We find it makes the most sense to approach ministry as a partnership, so that ownership is divided among everyone involved. Ministry then becomes what can we do with one another versus what can I do for you? Likewise, we have immersed ourselves in the same communities for over 35 years. We make it a point to form relationships with our neighbors and to stimulate the local businesses that will sustain this region economically.

Camp Type:  Residential  Family  Adult Year Established: 1975 Gender: Coed Age of Campers: 13 to All years old Cost/Week: $351.00-$500.00/wk Religious Affiliation: Christian Camp Owner(s): Camp Director(s): Ed Simmons Nearest Large City: Nashville, TN and Chattanooga, TN Off Season Rental: Yes Accreditations ?  ECFA Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability

Camp Focus: Academic and Pre-College Camps: Leadership Religious Camps: Christian Religious Camps: Methodist Religious Camps: Other Religious

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Missions & Home Repair

YSM - Youth Summer Ministry - Runs 8 consecutive weeks in the Summer. Youth groups from around the nation join together to form one camp community at Camp Cumberland Pines or Camp Baker Mountain. Youth (age 13+ or going into the 8th grade) can choose between Minor Home Repair projects (sheds, wheelchair ramps, porches, roofs, painting, yard work, etc) or Day Camp (an activity camp for children ages 6-11 living in Grundy County) $325/375 person - includes meals, lodging, materials, staffing and programming. Fish Camp - Runs the first week of June. A mission experience for JR high youth (rising 6th - 8th graders) that includes home repair, group morning devotionals, worship and a campfire! $160/person/week - includes meals, lodging, materials, staffing and programming. AIM - Adults in Ministry - Run 3 weeks and 1 weekend in the summer. Runs 5 long weekends in October. Adults participate in Major Home Repair projects or, in the summer, work with children in one of our three day camp programs. $375/person/week, $200/person/weekend - includes meals, lodging, materials, staffing and programming. SBO - Spring Breakout - Groups can choose any dates between Mid-Feb and Mid-March to spend Sunday - Friday serving camp and the communities in our service area. Great for alternative spring break for college students, youth, adult or family groups! $200/person - includes meals, lodging, materials, staffing and programming. Family Weekend - The third weekend in April, we offer an opportunity to serve families with your family. Join us for a day of home repair, group morning devos and worship! $50/60/person, no more than $200/family - includes meals, lodging, materials, staffing and programming.