Staff Profile: Trent “UGA” McClure

Trent “UGA” McClure has worked in many roles at camp over the last seven years. His various experiences at youth camp, the Forge, the Institute of Wilderness Studies, and Pine Cove City have prepared him well as he gets ready to help open Pine Cove’s newest youth camp: the Springs. Talking to Trent is like talking to an old friend, so we know that the Springs campers are going to feel right at home. Read on to hear about Trent’s recent wedding and what he is most excited about for the Springs and in life!

What is your current position and how long have you worked at Pine Cove?
I am the Men’s Director at the Springs. I started on summer staff in 2015 and worked four summers at the Timbers and then I was in the Forge class of 2018. From there, I worked in the IWS program in 2018. My first summer in the Southeast region was in 2019 as an Assistant Site Director for Camp in the City and then a Site Director in 2020-2021. It’s crazy to think I have spent almost 10 years at Pine Cove.

I heard a rumor… a r-r-r-rumor that you got married recently! What was your favorite moment from your wedding?
We did a first look and that was probably more so to calm nerves than it was anything else. When I saw her in her dress, I just saw how beautiful she looked and thought, “How did I pull this off?” But after that, for sure my favorite part of the day was when I was standing at the end of the aisle and saw her start to walk toward me and I just started crying. I was so overwhelmed with joy. ‘Dang, this is real and it’s happening. Abby is the person I get to spend the rest of my life with and this walk is the beginning of that life together.’

How did you and your wife meet?
We met during my first summer in the Southeast in 2019, but we didn’t start dating until the fall of 2020. One of the most attractive things about her was her ability to bring people in and make them feel included. She is probably the most intentional person I know and could make anyone feel valued and loved.

What are you most excited about in helping to open a new camp?
Pine Cove has operated so well and for so long, and I was lucky enough to be a part of the fruitfulness of Pine Cove. To see all the campers come in and be so excited and just be a kid at camp. To see that fruit in Texas and to now be a part of the team that, Lord willing, will be able to show the Gospel to new kids that have maybe never even heard of Pine Cove. I am just absolutely so excited for the Gospel to be proclaimed. There is also just a lot of buzz and excitement at Pine Cove surrounding this camp opening.

What is your favorite camp cheer and why?
Probably the boat driver cheer because the boaties just bring this extra level of energy, camaraderie, and unity at a camp. Anytime they walk in for lunch and we are able to stand up and welcome them in after they have just selflessly served, it’s just a fun way to pay them back a little bit.

What is your snack and drink of choice?
In general, I am a Trolli sour gummy worm lover with a Cherry Coke to pair with that.

What are your hobbies or favorite ways to spend your free time?
Recently I have spent a lot of my free time unpacking boxes and building things for my apartment. In general, I enjoy watching “The Office” in my free time and probably just talking to people.

If you were given a $1,000 gift card, what store would it be for?
Before I got married I would have probably chosen LuluLemon, but now I would probably choose Home Depot or Target.

What is something you’re excited about right now?
Honestly, I think just trying to cultivate a good marriage. It’s very exciting leaving the house and then getting back and having a wife there to do life with. Abby and my heartbeat is to cultivate a home together where people can just walk in and feel so welcomed and loved and could just sit on our couch for hours.

What is a characteristic of God you’ve learned the most about in your time at camp?
God’s grace. 1000%. It’s crazy to think about the journey that the Lord brings you on. In February of 2015 I called TJ Connor and told him I wasn’t sure if I needed to be at camp that summer because my life hadn’t matched the faith I proclaimed. TJ said, “If God hadn’t shown me grace, I would be in the same boat, so who am I if I don’t show you the same grace?” That was a big turning point. This is where I was, and this is what He did, and this is where He has brought me.