2020 Youth Camp Dates

Camp #1 – June 8-11, 2020

Camp #2 – June 15-18, 2020

Camp #3 – June 22 – 25, 2020

Watching students unload into the parking lot of the camp is like a mobile party that unfolds at your location. There is plenty of noise, excitement and anticipation about who is rooming with whom and what they want all they want to do while they are at camp. All of the luggage and bedrolls spill out in no particular order and the hunt begins to find your stuff. It is nothing less than noise and chaos!

As I sit and watch this all happen in a moment of quietness, I realize that my quiet sanctuary will change for the next 4 days. I am ready for that. I know and expect teenagers to come and make this their home and place of leisure bringing with them all that this means. I’ll exchange that
any day for how camp transforms a teenager’s life. Just last week I watched as teens walked to the front of the chapel to commit to a lifetime of serving God. I also watched as many committed to a life of vocational ministry. What a powerful moment to see students respond to God with laser focus saying Yes to ministry!

This is a great counterbalance to the research that is telling us that our sons and daughters are less religious than we are.  According to a Pew Research article, Religion among Millennials, “Compared with their elders today, fewer young people say that religion is very important in their lives.” I think we have known and seen this downhill slide for a while. It isn’t drastic yet, so we are not alarmed. But large entities, whether business or religious, take time to turn and respond to cultural changes, often too late to see change for 10-20 years.

Let me expound on one of them. Anytime I ask a group of Pastors if they received their calling at camp or committed their life to Christ at camp I can safely assume that about 75% of them will respond affirmatively. Camp brings life change through salvation, rededication and education, so whatever you need to do, get your students to camp!!!