Spinner Allen new leader at McCall Royal Ambassador Camp

A former camper and staff member at Camp McCall in Pickens County is returning home. Matt “Spinner” Allen has been named the associate director of camps and conference centers at the 300-acre camp for boys and men owned by the South Carolina Baptist Convention.

Allen’s position was previously referred to as the camp director. As part of a 2014 staff reorganization, the SCBC Executive Board changed the position’s title and placed it under the direct supervision of Thomas Truitt, who is the executive director of camps and conference centers. Truitt is now the day-to-day director of White Oak Conference Center. Both Allen and Truitt are a part of the Church Sending Team, led by state convention associate executive director Wayne Terry.

“South Carolina Baptists are blessed to have someone like Matt taking the leadership at McCall,” Terry said. “His unique blend of experience at Camp McCall and at other camps, as well as his theological education and leadership development, are unmatched and will certainly bless our camp and SCBC churches for years to come.”

Allen, who, like all McCall staff members, has a nickname related to an “embarrassing or noteworthy event,” chooses not to divulge the story behind his name. But he acknowledges that it stuck in private and public life and that everyone close to him calls him Spinner.

“A few people might call me Matt,” he said. “If anyone calls me Matthew, I know they are telemarketing.”

“Just like the nickname suggests, I am a product of Camp McCall,” he said. “I grew up at Camp McCall — physically, emotionally and certainly spiritually. I was fortunate to be under the strong influence of men like [former McCall directors] Cliff Satterwhite and Eddie Pettit, but also the men of my church and within my family.

“Young people need strong Christian role models in their lives,” Allen said. “I was fortunate to have those role models, and it’s a passion of mine to see McCall campers and staff members continue to have those models.

“Society has changed a lot. While I haven’t been to McCall in a few years, I know I can use my experiences there and in secular culture to help young people in their respective faith journeys. Being a Christian isn’t easy, and it’s getting more difficult. Anything we can do to equip young people with character development and spiritual maturity will certainly impact their lives for a long, long time.”

Allen joins the staff at McCall after serving since 2004 as a naval intelligence officer in Washington, D.C. During that time he has also served as an experiential education and leadership consultant.

After serving as a McCall staffer, program coordinator and assistant director from May 1989 to August 1998, Allen served as program director for Wilderness Encounter Program in Grapevine, Texas, and program director and, later, director of marketing and donor development for Summit Adventure in Bass Lake, Calif.

A native of Spartanburg, Allen is a 1993 graduate of Presbyterian College with a bachelor of arts degree in non-Western history. He is also a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School in Bellingham, Wash., and has a master of arts in education degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2009, he received a master of science in non-profit leadership from Eastern University in St. Davids, Pa.

Michael “Barney” Barnes served on staff at McCall from 1979-1982 and says Allen’s hiring is “one of the best things to ever happen to Camp McCall. Spinner served after me, but he’s already a legend at Camp McCall. You say the nickname ‘Spinner’ and everyone knows who you are talking about.

“One of the things he’s known for is leaving his signature wherever he goes. A few years ago, I was in Alaska serving on a project for Samaritan’s Purse, and there was his signature written on a post. I just don’t know anyone who would be better right now for Camp McCall.”

Barnes is president of the Friends of McCall, an 18-year-old non-profit group started for the purpose of helping support the camp. Composed largely of former staff members, Friends of McCall provides annual scholarships to campers in need, supports staff members, and leads in project improvements at the camp.

White Oak Conference Center’s Truitt, who will work closely with Allen, said, “Our new associate director at Camp McCall is a Renaissance man, able to approach the position from a physical, mental and, most importantly, spiritual aspect. Matt Allen brings both a historical background, having served on staff, and a leadership development capacity through his work experience since those days.”

Allen, who married his wife, Ginger, 18 years ago in the Camp McCall chapel, said his transition to McCall will occur in February. Ginger will join him in the spring.

“Ginger and I believe that God has used our life experiences to prepare us for this work,” Allen said. “She has a history in recreation and working within the local church, and we believe that God has prepared us through our marriage, and individually, for this exciting new chapter.”