Why in the World Attend Summer Camp?

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• Written by Shawn Fetterhoff

Why in the World Attend A Summer Camp???

            ~Jim Shields, Executive Director

There are many in our day who say that summer camp is a thing of the past. Why bother with summer camp where everything focuses on fun and games and there is little of value gained from the experience? That question begs an answer. Summer camp is not just fun and games. Oh, to be sure, there are plenty of “fun and games” activities in the summer camp programs, but this is “fun and games” with a purpose. Everything we do at camp is focused around the teachable moment whether it is a recreation activity or a hike or a Bible study.

One of the things we learned from the last presidential election in this country is that people are looking for purpose and meaning in life. That’s precisely what camping is all about and has been for a lot of years. Twin Pines exists to help people focus on personal purpose and to help them grow in the Christian faith so they can live lives of victory.

A summer camp experience provides an “away” experience for the camper. In order to focus adequately on purpose and meaning, one has to get away from all of the influences which capture our daily lives and drag us away from what is important. A week of camp provides that “away” time in a unique and safe place where the mind can be challenged on a daily basis. The natural setting of the camp allows for quiet times of reflection on strong Biblical principles which will provide a clear path for living in this post-modern, post-Christian world.

A summer camp experience provides an opportunity for interactive living. The emphasis in the world today is way to “me-centered.” Part of purpose and meaning in life has to do with how we relate to each other. God asks (even requires) us to be servants---it’s not about me---it’s all about Him. Camp helps to focus the campers on the needs of others and provides ample teaching opportunities about how to live with others and look out for their needs. Purpose and meaning come when we learn to see others as better than ourselves. This is a major part of camp life.

A summer camp experience provides experiences that live long after the camp week has come and gone. We are constantly told about how experiences at camp have made a difference in people’s lives long after the camp experience is past. There are people obediently following Christ today because they made a decision at camp years before. Some people have indicated that they have used the camp experience as a constant reminder of what the Christian life is supposed to be. Some folks have indicated that they have been brought back to a consistent walk with Christ when they remember the things they learned at camp. The camp experience provides the kind of memories that make it live on in the heart and mind of the camper.

A summer camp experience provides role models in dynamic everyday living. The staff serving at a summer camp must live in Christian community and do that consistently on a day-to-day basis. One of the major emphases at Twin Pines among the staff is to live as an example. We realize that every camper is watching our staff to see how they handle conflicts and petty disagreements during the course of the summer. Teaching happens in the recreation areas and on the hiking trails as campers are able to watch the summer staff modeling Christianity as they live and serve together. Unfortunately Christian community is not modeled very well in many places today. This is why we emphasize modeling Christian community and place so much emphasis on the staff as living examples to the campers on a daily basis.

I have been at Twin Pines for 31 years as the Executive Director because I believe in what Twin Pines is doing to change lives. I have seen thousands of lives changed for eternity because God was able to break through to campers while they were here. I am awestruck as I realize the number of pastors and missionaries who are serving around the world because of a call of God on their lives while attending camp at Twin Pines. I am planning on continuing to “beat the drum” for camp as long as God allows me to win this personal adventure with cancer that I am presently going through. Please consider a summer camp experience for someone you love enough to care about in this way. Twin Pines is much more than “fun and games.” Send someone to camp this summer; come yourself; we have camps for all ages. And, yes, we do have indoor plumbing and hot showers right in your very own room. Camp is not just for children. Check out our schedule of activities for this summer in this issue of Pine Lines and fill out the registration today while there is still room for you to experience the awesome presence of God in this special place.