Congregating at Camp
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How churches use and view camp and conference ministry
When Youth Pastor Brent Parsley and his leadership team at New Life
Church take teens—usually about 350—to a spot they've chosen for a
five-day summer camp, they have goals. But the aims of the Colorado
Springs, Colorado, church aren't just on paper. Their objectives to
encourage stronger relationships with God and others flourish into living
results throughout the year.
Kids return from the program saying, "This is the first time I really
experienced God." Teenagers plant the truths they've learned into the soil of
their everyday lives. And attendance at the church's weekly Bible study and
worship youth gathering expands, says Niki Parks, who works with the girls'
ministry.
Across America, churches like New Life are using the powerful ministry
medium of camps and conferences with both their youth and adults. Their
programs are diverse, their needs are different, and their expectations are
varied. But one common thread weaves through the complex tapestry of
denominations and locations: an unquestionable significant influence camp
has had on the spiritual and relational life of the flock.
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Different Strokes
Camp, no doubt, is different for churches everywhere. Some are focused on
families; others on youth or specific adult populations, such as singles or
married couples. Some emphasize spiritual growth; others have more of an
evangelistic focus. Many plan their own camps; others cooperate with area
churches or send kids to already programmed sessions. They're held in all
seasons in many types of camps, conference centers, and wilderness
settings.
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Flexibility
As churches have used and interacted with camp personnel and facilities,
they've discovered that caring, godly staff members with a willingness to be
flexible are essential to the effectiveness of their ministry.
"The camp staff makes a huge difference," says Dan Niederhofer, youth
pastor at San Antonio's Oak Hills Church, which works with six other
churches to run its own high school camp, minus a few outsourced activities,
such as whitewater rafting. "We have actually left two different places [for
high school camp] because of what I would call inflexibility in working with
us."
On the other hand, the middle schoolers attend a program designed by the
camp that is "real top of the line...they bend over backwards for our group."
New Life Church's Parsley agrees that an understanding staff is key.
"We really appreciate those people who are flexible and will work with us
[both before and during camp]," he says, adding that his staff understands
camps do have systems in place that may be necessary to follow.
A solid staff has had a lasting influence on Calvary of Albuquerque's youth.
"Lone Tree has raised up a staff... [who] truly love the kids. They would pour
out their hearts to them," Calvary of Albuquerque Assistant Pastor Danny
Schuman. He adds that he's pleased with the Capitan, New Mexico, camp's
staff professional training. "These kids are getting to do things they've never
experienced before. As leaders, [their training] really puts us at ease."
As the church grew, Schuman looked at other facilities, but the other camps'
staff and their lack of flexibility encouraged them to stay at Lone Tree.
"I've found some great camps, but they wouldn't let us do our own program,
or our own teaching, or our own worship," he says. "I'm the pastor of this
flock. I know them better than anyone else; I know what their needs will be."
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Atmosphere
Churches also place importance on the physical and spiritual environment of
the camp or conference they choose to use or attend. Each year, the youth
ministry staff at Oak Hills Church tries to find a better facility, looking for a
place that is clean and comfortable—air conditioning is a plus at its current
camp—and serves good food.
Another key to a good camp facility, especially for youth, is a balance
between a solid biblical basis and cutting-edge activities. As a college student,
Schuman, a former summer staffer, was disappointed to find camps that had
impressive activities but a weak spiritual emphasis. Later, as a pastor looking
for a venue, he found camps that didn't offer enough recreation.
"They need activities to keep them interested, engaged," he says. "This is the
extreme sports generation...we've got to start thinking out of the box."
The camp the church has settled on—along with others he's come
across—effectively stresses both an inviting program and spiritual growth.
A five-minute devotional after every activity helps drive truth home.
"The kids begin to learn that God is interested in every aspect of our lives,
not just on Wednesdays and Sundays when we're in the church building,"
Schuman says.
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Filling the Roster
In addition to finding a camp or conference that meets their needs, churches
also face challenges from within their congregations.
"The camping experience is a must for every teenager," says Phil Newberry,
pastor of student ministries at Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tennessee.
"Unfortunately, our kids are so busy...I tell a kid, ‘You've got the next 60
years to work. Relax and enjoy being a teenager.'"
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Finances are another concern.
"We tend to over-retreat people," says Trudi Barnes, who planned retreats
for Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in California for about a decade. The
church's events can get expensive, leaving people to choose, for example,
between a women's and a couples' retreat. "We're trying to give them fewer
options but make those options meet the needs of each individual group at
the retreat."
Niederhofer says that cost is the biggest concern among Oak Hills parents
who are already paying for drivers' licenses and trendy clothes, "and then
you throw a $400 camp at them; it's a little hard to swallow." The church
has sponsored fund raising efforts in the past, such as a golf tournament,
to help pay for the program.
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Purpose
Finding appropriate facilities and recruiting children, teens, and adults to
attend camps and retreats may take effort, but it's worth it to churches who
see lives and ministries changed.
"Our camps really are a staple of our ministry," says Parsley, who has
organized summer and winter youth camps at New Life Church for the past
three years. "We're constantly pushing [teens] and helping them develop
their faith; it catapults them on harder and faster."
Parsley and other pastors believe that the fact that kids leave behind parents,
technology, and much of the peer pressure they encounter daily allows them
to "let down their guard a little bit [and] their hearts open a little more."
"There's just something about getting away," Newberry says. "It's the whole
‘Be still and know that I am God' concept."
This affects both their spiritual growth and their relationships with staff and
other kids.
"The reason that we do camp is for students to connect with Christ,"
Niederhofer says. "I think the Lord uses those weeks of camping to really
crack the hearts of kids."
While Niederhofer agrees that some kids have a "camp high," he's seen
numerous teens make decisions to take on a leadership role, pursue a
ministry career, or attend a Christian college because of their camping
experiences. He's also noticed stronger relationships develop between the
church staff and parents, who hear their children's excited tales of camp
and desire to become more involved in the youth ministry. Other leaders
have watched their young people grow closer together and to the adults
from the church who work with the teens year round.
Adult retreats, too, have been invaluable for their relationship-building
results.
At Menlo Park Presbyterian, where the average Sunday morning attendance
is 4,000, a key goal of its retreats is to draw people together in situations
where they have things in common with others and can thereby feel
connected, Barnes says.
"It's kind of what Jesus and the disciples did: hung out together, and ate
together, and told stories together," says Schuman, who has attended some
of his church's retreats.
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Connecting
When youth and adult groups return home from a week or weekend at camp,
they do notice its life-changing influence on their own flock, but don't always
get involved with the camps' activities the rest of the year.
Calvary of Albuquerque has worked with camps in follow-up programs. But
Schuman finds it difficult to get these campers connected with the rest of
the youth group, who had the chance to build closer relationships on their
own camping trip. In addition, while camp is viewed as an important
outreach, there are many day-to-day needs of the church and its own
ministries that take priority with the church staff.
Other pastors say they haven't been approached for follow-up or other
interaction with area camps, but would consider involvement if they were
contacted.
At least two camps that Niederhofer has worked with have made a concerted
effort to follow up with Oak Hills Church guests. One planned a free pizza
and concert night for youth; another offered the pastoral staff a free night
at the camp.
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Conclusion
It's clear that churches throughout the nation are using outdoor programs
and retreats as an integral part of their ministry to draw people closer to
each other and to God. And at New Life church—and in congregations
small and large of a plethora of denominations—youth and adults alike are
looking forward to a long future of eternal impact through Christian
camping.
"We're so thrilled with what God does at our camps," Parsley says.
"I think [camping] should be a vital part of any youth program."
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Related Resources
In CCI/USA's Store: Time out for Renewal (Focus Series)
On the Internet: SoundWord's CCI/USA audio tape, "Church, Community, and Communication" |
By Alison J. Hayhoe
Alison, editor of the Journal, holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from
John Brown University. She's grown spiritually through camping ministry as
both a camper and summer counselor. E-mail her at ahayhoe@cciusa.org.
This article first appeared in the Christian Camp & Conference Journal,
July/August, Vol. 8, No. 4
Copyright © 2004, Christian Camping International/USA |
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