Thank God for Church Camp!

Campfires, swimming, sports, devos, games, Bible classes, songs, talent shows, movie nights, baptisms, and much more.  These are all memories that so many have from attending church camp.  I attended Crowley’s Ridge Church Camp outside of Paragould, AR.  We had a great time.  Our faith grew, friendships were made, and our view of the church was expanded.  I still remember the feeling in the pit of my stomach on Saturday after ending the week.  A temporary depression brought on by the ending of camp and the coming down from the high!

After getting married, Amanda and I served as counselors at Bootheel Youth Camp in Bloomfield, MO.  It was always a special week for us of influencing kids and being encouraged by fellow counselors and close friends.

Now, we attend West Kentucky Youth Camp PeeWee Weekend each year.  This will be my 4th year and I still have many to go considering Caleb is not yet 1 year old.  PeeWee camp introduces the kids to camp early with the hope of them catching the bug and enjoying it all their youth.  For the first time, Austin will be going to camp for an entire week-long session in July.  I am not worried about Austin, but a little concerned about Amanda!

I believe strongly in the work of church camps.  Studies have demonstrated and experience has proved that camps are a leading faith-development tool for the church.  The week kids spend at camp each year can result in a lifetime of faith!  Our camps are a key evangelistic and educational method.  At a time when kids summers are getting shorter and busier, the church and parents in particular need to prioritize church camp.

Why church camp is important:

• It helps our kids withdraw from the constant media of our current world.  It creates a wilderness experience where kids withdraw from the world and are reminded of God and His Creation.
• It builds community and friendship.  Church camp is about friendships in Christ.  Youth need to develop friendship with other Christians not from their same local church,
• It strengthens faith.  Church camp is a spiritual feast for kids.  It encourages them and instills sacred principles in an environment where they are able to grasp it.  Camp is one of the greatest ways you can grow faith in your child.
• It builds positive memories.  It creates good memories of good times with God’s people enjoying life with good clean living and wholesome conduct.  These memories can subtly impact Christians for years when they are tempted to give into what the world says is fun and meaningful.
• It is whole-person ministry (Luke 2:52).  Church camp ministries to the whole of a child.  It is not just mental or academic focused, but also involves physical and social activities.
• It is leadership training.  Church camp serves as a tool to develop leaders in the church.  Not only by the campers, but also as children grow older to serve as junior counselors and counselors.  It allows many adults a safe environment to grow in their leadership abilities.

What churches and parents can do to encourage camp:

• Support your local camp.  Camps take lots of money and support.  Your church can plan work days, give annually to the camp, and support special fundraising efforts. 
• Encourage your youth to attend.  Churches should encourage camp attendance through the announcements and bulletin.  Seven Oaks has long encouraged camp attendance by paying half of the camp fees.  Some churches have a special week each year that they try and get their kids to attend.
• Work on staff at the camp.  Camps are not special because of the facilities, they are special because of the people and what happens between them in the week they spend together for the Lord.  Volunteer as a cook, craft-organizer, Bible class teacher, counselor, nurse, or director.
• Prioritize camp for your kids.  Parents can encourage it by keeping the kids calendar open enough to attend camp, or prioritizing it above other pursuits like sports camps, traveling teams, and vacation.

I am thankful for church camp and the impact it has had upon my life and the life of my family.  It is a great tool for the Lord’s work.  Let’s continue to use it, support it, and be thankful for it!

What other suggestions could you add about church camp?