IN N O V A T IO N I n L e a r n i n g
ChÀuttftn Education b y K a rm a n W r ig h t
Mr. Wright is Associate Professor of Religious Education at Talbot Seminary and Christian Education Consultant for Gospel Light Publications.
N e v e r b e f o r e in the history of our country has cam p ing reached such a prominent place in the lives of so many individ uals. Families and organizations alike are using this activity to fulfill recreational and educational needs. Churches have engaged in camping for years, but never has it been used as such an integral part of a local church’s Christian Education program as the last decade. In fact, quality camping may be one o f the most powerful and influential programs in a church for all age groups. But why is your church in volved in camping? What does your church seek to achieve by sending individuals away for a weekend or a week? What differ ence does camping make in the spiritual life and growth o f a church? Two of the many factors stand out when one considers the rea sons for camping. The first in volves the change in atmosphere. The opportunity to live in the mountains with its lush green for est and to enjoy the expansive beauty of the deserts or experi ence the roar of the surf as it breaks on the sandy beaches fur nish a refreshing period that re vitalizes every person. An aura of excitement prevails when one thinks of leaving the hectic pace o f life that we all encounter no matter what our age or position
in life. To sit, listen and reflect in an unhurried, unspoiled at mosphere with a constant Chris tian atmosphere is not only a privilege but also a necessity. Secondly, a camp offers not only ample time for in-depth Bible study, challenge and discussions but the opportunity to live in an environment with a. total Christ- centered, emphasis has an impact that is sometimes difficult to ex plain or define. This is so notice able when one considers the num ber of those who have accepted Christ as their Saviour at a camp and those who have felt called in to the ministry because o f a camp experience. The impact of camp will reach all age groups if your camping program is a quality pro gram. But quality camping costs! In terms of finances, time, prep aration and planning it is expen sive! A church camping program is as important as Sunday school or VBS and should be under the di rection o f the Christian Education committee. Even if you “ send” your campers to a denominational or independent camp, learn in ad vance the camp’s philosophy, pro gram, facilities and staff. If you provide your own counselors with your campers, be sure they are carefully selected and are well- trained. Counselors are the key element in a camp program. (Counselor training materials are
now available from Gospel Light Publications.) A well-rounded church camp program provides camps for every age group; it sets objectives for the camp program; plans all camps one year in advance; pub licizes a camp to the extent of personally contacting each person who could qualify for that camp, and trains all personnel involved. As with all programs, we find several trends within camping. Many churches are conducting their own camps in place o f send ing campers to an established camp. This is noticeable with weekend retreats and confer ences. Churches find that the cost of the camp can be reduced par ticularly when individuals from the church purchase the food and do their own cooking. The pro gram can be adapted and struc tured to one’s own purposes. Family camping is on the up rise. Most of the major confer ence grounds are offering seven days of camping for the entire family to attend and live and study together as a family unit. Some weekend camps have been conducted in this fashion. One church conducts a one week camp ing t r i p f o r fami l i es . Camp ground facilities are reserved for the entire groups and chur ch families come and stay in tents and trailers. The Pastor leads a Bible study in the morning and
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THE KINO'S BUSINESS
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