Carol Joy Holling Camp, Conference & Retreat Center
March, 2016
Why is CAMP so important? By Pr. Paula Lawhead As I visit different churches across the Nebraska Synod and Northwest Iowa, I am often asked the question, “Why do you think camp is so important?” I think this is a valid question and important for me to consider. I believe camp is more than just an opportunity to get kids out of the house for a week. I think it is more than just fun and games. Christian camping in particular is more than just learning Bible songs and practicing trust falls. While many of these things are true of most any outdoor programming, I believe there is a particular connection to the life of faith that makes camp so vital for young Christians. Just as Jesus took his disciples outside of the city or up to the mountains or sent them on mini mission trips, camp is a place set apart from every day life. Why is this an important element? In Scripture, it is in these times outside of
the regular routine that the disciples would have surges of growth in their image of who Jesus is and what he’s about. It is in the places set apart that they would see Jesus interact with unexpected people and share new teachings. These big experiences shaped the disciples and though they did not always understand until later, what they learned or saw in these times set apart impacted their faith in significant ways. Even more than being set apart for learning, I believe Christian camp experiences are important because at camp we do faith. We live faith. We don’t just learn about faith, but actually live it out in community and action. Camp is community oriented. We learn what it means to be in a community of faith and the importance of gathering with others who are seeking to worship and learn and grow. We learn what it means to care for one another and put up with one another, bearing one another’s burdens. Camp is all about living it out together. In the same sense, camp is service-oriented, so doing faith
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SUMMER CAMP - NEW IN 2016! Upgrade Technology for Camper Safety and Stewardship
Family Camp is all NEW in 2016! This full-week program will be held at The Springs site where families of all ages can come and be spiritually fed. With faith formation programs catered to adults, guest leaders, and activities for children – this week will be a blast!
To be better stewards and to provide faster healthcare response to camper needs, we are going paperless. iPads will give leadership and healthcare staff access to camper information and health information at all times saving paper and time!
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joy holling .org
CAMP CONFERENCE & RETREAT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT