How Church Camping Helps Congregations
Church camps are one of the Church’s greatest, relatively untapped resources.
Smart churches find a way to get as many members as possible to camp for at least a few days each summer. The Return On Investment is in the quality of lay participation and lay leadership. This goes a long way to creating a vibrant atmosphere in any congregation.
Camp is no longer just for kids. Many camps have multiple offerings throughout the summer for various age groups, including adults and families.
Church camps foster spirituality.
Camp is a place for reflection and introspection—but this activity takes place among a group of people who provide validation for spiritual exploration. Campers quickly lose the self-consciousness that might otherwise hold them back.
Church camps add new perspective and foster innovation.
Camps often use newer church music, so when your congregation turns to newer music, you’ll have a core group that either already knows or is mentally prepared to learn. The same applies to dance, drama and the visual arts, worship and teaching.
Church camp stretches your congregation’s talents.
People will try out new skills in their new (non-home) environment. Encouraged, they return to their churches ready to go to work.
Church camps help us break through centuries of stuffiness.
Silliness is always part of camp. Silliness helps us learn to not take ourselves and our preconceived notions too seriously.
Church camps create a network between participating congregations.
Campers develop friendships that span lifetimes. The Church needs to develop this resource. Congregations are always tempted to solve all problems independently.
Church camp is a reality check.
Today, more than ever, it is helpful to step away from the busy world and technological demands. At camp, we can find our roots and take a few days each summer to nurture and water them.
Although the focus of church camps is on the individual camper, those individual campers return to their congregations with renewed spirit and energy. In turn, it benefits the congregation.