Counselors have come to the Island for training from 36 different col leges and universities, from careers of business, teaching, and nursing, and from mission work in foreign lands. The emphasis in this 10 week train ing program is upon guided experi ence. A staff of experienced unit lead ers gives individual attention to every counselor as he practices the tech niques of counseling, plans and leads group activities, and instructs his cabin in camp skills. Nationally-known Christian educa tors complement the teaching of the regular staff. Professor Howard Hen dricks, head of the Christian Educa tion Department of Dallas Seminary; and Miss Joy Mackay, former Execu tive Director of Pioneer Girls, have contributed to the quality of Summer Institute training. High standards have been set in the Summer Institute. Aptitude in class must be accompanied by proven abil ity in the cabin for a counselor to finish with even the lowest passing grade. Several Summer Institute grad uates have already proven the effec tiveness of their training by initiat ing fruitful camp work both in the United States and abroad. Junior Counselor training includes both maintenance and leadership ex perience and is intended to provide the foundation necessary for a Sen ior Counselor position. His courses in clude Introduction to Counseling, Per sonal Bible Study, Camp Program ming, First Aid, and optional courses in Canoeing and Graded Swimming. Senior Counselor training provides full-time responsibility as a cabin counselor and advanced training in the philosophy and techniques of Christian counseling. While electives are offered, required courses are In troduction to Camping and Camp Counseling.. These courses meet the academic requirements of the Ac crediting Association of Bible Col leges and have been recognized with credit by several of America’s out standing Christian schools. Training in the Slimmer Institute is rugged but popular. Pastors, educa tion directors, and youth workers are among those who acclaim the effec tiveness of this two-year old program. Mission boards have shown such in terest that a special course in Camp Administration is offered the first two weeks of each summer especially for missionaries. In a day when camping is increas ingly recognized as one of the most effective tools of the church, an in stitute with high standards specializ ing in the training of camp leadership is welcome.
Waterfront scene ai Cedar Lake, Indiana
W h i l e n a t u r a l is t s deplore the shrinking area of national parks and recreational resorts (in comparison with growing population figures), Christian camp and confer ence grounds seem to be on the in crease. That the directors of such establishments are becoming' more keenly aware of the needs to be met in their areas of development is clear ly seen in reports from the 1st Annual Camp and Conference Convention held the end of March at George Wil liams College Camp, Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Such subjects as “Reach ing Problem Young People,” “Fi nance and Public Relations,” “Train ing for Counselors” are but a few of the matters discussed in several dozen special workshops which were held.
This month THE KING’S BUSI NESS takes a look at three of the Christian Conference centers. Forty miles from Denver, at Pine, Colorado, the American S u n d a y School Union has established a young people’s camp known as Id-Ra-Ha-Je (“I’d Rather Have Jesus”). Started nearly twenty years ago, the program includes both cabin and “tepee” liv ing accommodations. Each counselor is assigned no more than eight young people for personal guidance and di rection. Edendale Christian Retreat was started by Syd and Ann Sybrandy and is located in Carbon Canyon near Placentia, California (in Orange County). Open throughout the year, (continued on next page)
Colorado’s Camps Id-Ra-Ha-Je Edendale’s donkey provides fun and rec reation for all. Arrowpines (Lake Arrowhead, California) has new dormitory facilities.
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MAY, 1963
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