Church Camps: Building Faith, Transforming Lives
     What percentage of Our Church’s Wider Mission goes for administration?  That’s a question often voiced by church members wishing to give responsibly.  It can be difficult to answer.  Keep reading and you’ll see why.
     Lives can be shaped or changed at church camp.  Ask the youth and you’ll hear: 
     “I really enjoyed who I was at camp.  I was able to be myself.”  
     “We had a special sense of community where everyone could feel loved and included.”        “Camp gave me a safe place to talk about my beliefs and questions, surrounded by others doing the same thing.”   
     “Great friendships and great memories.”  
     “A place to grow in trusting God and appreciate God’s creation.”  
     “Music, music, music.  Discovering my gifts.”
    “What I experienced just left me in awe.  The campfire the last night really showed me how camp changed people’s lives.”  
     Ask youth leaders and you’ll hear: 
     “A week at church camp can have as much impact as a year of Sunday school.”  
     “When you are able to get these kids away, to be themselves and experience God in a whole new way, you can impact their lives.”  
     “Camp focuses on building Christian community.  We can learn and practice accepting and supporting others.”  
     “Many will remember camp as one of the most significant faith events in their lives.  I do.”
     Conference camp trustees work creatively to promote camp usage and set registration fees to cover costs–directors and staff, training volunteers, processing registrations, food, equipment, program supplies, insurance, facilities upkeep, and remodeling and additions.  Our Church’s Wider Mission may supplement fees, paying staff salaries, promoting camp, providing camp scholarships, or balancing the camp budget when needed.  Is that administration?  Or is it program?  If it builds faith and transforms lives, does it matter?