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Posted by Jack Shitama ● Thu, Feb 13, 2014 @ 11:02 AM

New Summer Camp Programs Combine Fun, Learning and Traditional Camp Activities

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Every year we try to develop new camp programs that will appeal to children and youth in a particular area of interest. Each new program is not expected to excite everyone, but we hope will grab the attention of enough to make it worthwhile. Top Chef Pecometh, Archer Games and DIY Crafts are examples of new programs developed in recent years.

We love that we give campers an opportunity to explore a passion or develop a new one. More importantly, we know that all of our campers spend time in outdoors in God’s Creation, develop confidence and social skills, grow spiritually and have lots of fun.

This year we have four new programs.

Wranglers Edge

Wranglers Edge (grades 4-5*) is for cowboys and cowgirls in training. While our traditionalHorseback Camp is focused on English-style, Wranglers Edge is pure Western. Campers will learn about the American West, as well as basic riding skills and proper care for horses. All horseback activities will take place at nearby River’s Edge Ranch.

Camp Chesapeake

Camp Chesapeake (grades 6-8*) is an exploration of the richness of the Chesapeake Bay region. Campers will take a series of day trips where they’ll learn about Native American history, watermen towns and the Underground Railroad. Youth who like the adventure of learning history and culture will love this camp.

Inquiring Minds

Inquiring Minds (grades 4-5*) is all about teamwork and solving problem. If you’re familiar with Odyssey of the Mind or Destination Imagination then you know exactly what Inquiring Minds (IM) will do. Led by local Elementary teacher Katie Laing, IM will help campers develop critical thinking and outside-the-box approaches to age-appropriate design challenges. Children that love puzzles, building things, creative thinking and working in teams will love IM.

Kingdom Builders

Kingdom Builders (grades 7-10*) is specifically designed to prepare youth for mission trips where construction skills are required, such as Appalachia Service Project (ASP). In addition to learning tool use, job safety and construction techniques, campers will learn why mission trips are important from the spiritual perspective. Walter Crouch, the CEO of ASP, wrote this about Kingdom Builders:

At Appalachia Service Project, we believe that a construction missions training camp that prepares youth for repair work on the homes of low income families is an incredibly wonderful idea!  From our viewpoint, the opportunity to learn basic construction skills and understand the proper perspective for doing mission work before arriving on a worksite in central Appalachia can only enhance the ASP mission experience.  Having trained youth who can serve as peer mentors and assist adult group leaders results in a better mission trip for everyone, as well as improved repairs for families.  We anticipate many beneficial outcomes from this training that will help ASP eliminate substandard housing.

Regardless of where the mission trip might go, if construction or repair is involved, then Kingdom Builders will prepare youth for a great experience.

As I wrote before, all camp programs have certain common activities.

  • Traditional camp activities-canoeing, swimming, arts and crafts and nature discovery.
  • Spiritual activities-Bible study, vespers and Galilean service
  • All-camp activities-campfire, music time, counselor hunt and international spotlight

We believe summer camp is a unique experience that can benefit every child and youth. It creates lifelong memories and meaningful experiences. Designing programs that appeal to individual interests is a key part of making camp accessible to all.

Topics: Camp

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