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Christian Camping
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Whether you’re a parent, youth worker,
prospective camp counselor, or simply interested in learning more about
Christian camping, check out these helpful nuggets of information. Discover why
so many people have been impacted by an experience at a Christian camp. Gain
some tips for choosing a camp for your child and helping them prepare for a
great adventure. Examine ways Christian camping compliments and supports the
Church in fulfilling the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20.
So you are thinking of sending your child
to camp this summer. Maybe you just want to be free of them for a few days, or
you are looking for a ‘bargain vacation’. Whatever the reason, there will be
a number of Christian camps to choose from. Here are some guidelines for choosing a
camp: s The
decision should be yours and not your child’s. He may choose a particular
camp simply because a friend will be going there, but that camp may not be
right for your child. s Check
to see if your church is running a camp. Most churches do. The benefit of a
church camp is that there will be familiar faces (both campers and staff)
which will may make your child more comfortable. There is also the advantage
of knowing with some degree of certainty what doctrines etc are being taught
to your child. s If
your church does not run camps or you choose not to send your child there,
then there are many non-denominational camps from which to choose. Some of
the major ones are Moorlands Camps, Happy Hills Camps (run by New Generation
Ministries) and ISCF Camps. There will be young people at these camps from
various backgrounds (and even countries) and your child can benefit from such
an exposure. These camps also tend to be smaller and offer a wider variety of
programs. s You
should also consider the needs of your child. Will he benefit from a co-ed
camp or a single-sex camp? Would she be uncomfortable in a large camp? Does
he have a great liking for the outdoors and therefore benefit more from a
sports camp or an adventure camp? Of
great importance is the reputation of the camp. What have you heard about
it? Do you know anyone who has
attended this camp before? Do you know any of the staff, or know anything
about the facilities or the program the camp is offe
Many
children attend residential camps from as young as 7 years. For many of these
kids, it’s the first time away from home ‘by themselves.’ They have never had
to pack their bags, spread their beds, or choose which clothes to wear each
day. Here
are some ways to make their stay at camp a more enjoyable one: s Show them how
to pack their bags. Give them a plastic bag (a ‘scandal’ bag will do) for
their dirty clothes and separate one to put their wet clothes in. s Separate and
label their clothes for them according to the number of camp days. You could
even use clothespins to pin the top and bottom for the various days, so they
don’t have to try figuring out what they should wear with what. s Give them some
idea of how to monitor their tuck money so they don’t overspend.
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