Camp ASCCA isn’t just a place; it’s the people who make it feel like home. In this series, we’re shining a spotlight on the staff, past and present, who dedicate their time, energy, and hearts to creating unforgettable experiences for our campers. From heartfelt stories to behind-the-scenes moments, get to know the faces, positions, and journeys that make ASCCA truly special.
If you’ve spent any time around the ropes course, giant swing, bungee trampoline, or ziplines at Camp ASCCA, you’ve likely met Tre Marbury. His energy is contagious, and his passion for Camp is something you notice right away. Tre plays a big role in making some of camp’s most exciting activities possible, and his enthusiasm helps create an experience campers will never forget.
Tre first arrived at Camp ASCCA in 2018 as a summer counselor. Like many people who come through camp, what started as a summer job quickly became something more. After serving as both a counselor and a member of the program staff, he joined the full-time staff in 2022. Today, Tre serves as the Outdoor Adventure Specialist, overseeing some of camp’s most exciting activities, including the high and low ropes course, the giant swing, bungee trampoline, and the ziplines.
For Tre, the role is about much more than running activities. It’s about creating moments that campers will remember long after they leave.
“My purpose, of course,” Tre says when asked what has kept him at Camp ASCCA over the years. “I’m here to help people have the best time while they’re here at Camp.”
That purpose shows up in the way he talks about the start of each session. There is something special about Sundays at Camp ASCCA when buses pull in, and cabins begin to fill with campers ready for the week ahead.
“The thrill,” Tre says. “Seeing the excitement on a Sunday afternoon when the campers roll in. Even on the weekends, when you have a good group like St. James Middle School or the Alabama Head Injury Foundation.”
Some of Tre’s favorite memories come from the unexpected moments that happen when a group of people come together with the shared goal of making Camp a place where everyone belongs. One memory from the summer of 2024 stands out.
During a dance party in Session 2, Tre was working as the DJ and keeping an eye on the dance floor. He noticed one camper sitting out most of the night because he was waiting to hear a specific song. It was not exactly a dance song, but when Tre finally played it, something special happened.
“When I played the song, all the other campers and counselors gathered around him and sang alongside him and danced like it was the 80s,” Tre says. “They understood the assignment. They adapted no matter the circumstances. That’s why I do what I do for this place. My goal is to make everyone have a good time.
Moments like that are what make Camp ASCCA different. According to Tre, camp creates opportunities that many people never imagined possible.
“We give people opportunities and hope of doing things they could have never imagined doing,” he says. “We give them freedom. We give them confidence.”
Camp has also shaped Tre’s own life in ways he did not expect when he first arrived in 2018.
“I’m not the same guy who was a counselor back then,” he says. “They gave me a chance to adapt and grow as a leader.”
Those experiences have changed the way he looks at people and relationships as well.
“It helped me open my eyes to not just what’s directly in front of me, but what’s a mile in front of me too.”
One of Tre’s favorite parts of the summer happens late in the day, after activities have wrapped up. On the nights when he is on call for evening programs, he makes a final round through the cabins after everyone returns.
“You can hear all the chatter from every direction about the day,” he says. “That’s how you know it’s been a successful day.”
When asked to describe Camp ASCCA in one word, Tre chooses inclusive.
It’s a word that captures what Camp strives to be every day. A place where everyone has a chance to belong, to try something new, and to discover what they are capable of.
One of Tre’s proudest realizations during his time at Camp ASCCA has been recognizing the impact he can have on others.
“Being able to tell myself with confidence that I’m actually more than capable of helping change lives,” he says.
While many people may pick a favorite day they wish they could relive, Tre is looking forward to the future.
“I don’t necessarily have a day I want to relive,” he says. “I know better ones are coming.”
His advice for campers, staff, and families?
“Never stop. Never let anyone dictate your life. Never lose faith. Be you,” he says. “Also drink water and wear sunscreen.”
At Camp ASCCA, Tre continues to help create the kind of environment where every camper has the chance to swing higher, climb farther, and leave Camp with a little more confidence than when they arrive.
