On the southeastern coast of North Carolina, the wide Cape Fear River empties into the Atlantic Ocean. There, just off shore on the eastern tip of Oak Island, are the ruins of historic Fort Caswell. Originally built in the 1830s and later used during the Civil War to defend Confederate positions on the North Carolina coast, Fort Caswell also served as a training ground for World War I soldiers, a spa for vacationers in the 1930s, and as an island patrol communications base during World War II. Since 1949, when the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina bought the property from the federal government, Caswell has served as a place of peace, offering North Carolina Baptists and many others a refuge of quiet reflection and relaxation. Each summer, thousands of youth visit the Assembly camp, and, during the spring and fall, groups of all ages come for retreats, conferences, and meetings. It is a beautiful place with a fascinating history.