Philosophy

Camping is an integral part of the total church's Program of Christian Education. Church camping offers the unique opportunity to participate in a 24 hour a day experience in Christian group living in the out-of-doors, through which the counselors and campers involved can find meaning and purpose for their lives.

Camping provides a living situation in which Christian principles can be discovered, practiced and tested.

The out-of-doors, though it is to be discovered and enjoyed, is not an end in itself, but a means to bring campers and counselors to an awareness of God as Father, Creator, and Redeemer and to help respond in a living way to God's love as revealed through Christ.

This takes place in the warmth and security of a small group where each person is helped to find himself or herself and has the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of others. Here a counseling relationship takes place between adult Christians and younger Christians.

In this experience of simple living in a small group in the out-of-doors: Counselors and campers are truly participants as they take part in planning the activities of each day and helping make decisions which affect their lives, they develop a stake in their own program. Activities have meaning for their lives; changes take place.

Counselors and campers learn to plan and set goals together for the common good. Each person can express his/her own thoughts and ideas, as well as listen to others.

Counselors and campers develop an awareness of the value of each individual. What is the concern of one, becomes the concern of the entire group. This is the redeeming fellowship at work.

Counselors and campers are helped to relax, to learn to be quiet, and to practice patience. The outdoor setting is conducive to a natural and simple way of living in which exploration, self-expression, discussion, and celebration are encouraged.

Counselors and campers become part of an exciting process of seeking and finding God's presence in all that they do and in each person with whom they interact. As they engage in this process together, they begin to build and to experience Christian community, a safe place where each person is encouraged to live out their faith in their everyday camp lives.