Statement of Mission, Vision and Values

Mission
Our mission is to provide hospitality and programming that promote God-inspired life-changing experiences through retreat ministry, outdoor school and summer camp.
We understand that it is God that does the work of transformation.  We have the privilege of participating in what happens in the lives of others through the work that we do and the way that we do it.

Vision
Camping & Retreat Ministries (C&RM) will continue its commitment to excellence by focusing on three areas of ministry, Retreat Ministry, Outdoor School and Summer Camp, which, as complementary ministries, will function primarily at a single site, Pecometh Camp & Retreat Center.  C&RM will retain its unique “Delmarva” character by protecting and enhancing the waterfront, woodlands, and farmlands that provide the setting for God-inspired life-changing experiences. 

Retreat Ministry 

We will continue a ministry of hospitality that creates a distraction-free, Christ-focused, environment for all activities, programmed or hosted. 

We will incrementally develop effective programming in three specific areas as a resource to individuals, local churches, communities and the annual conference: 

·        Spiritual Formation – programs that enable persons to grow as disciples in their faith journey. 

·        Servant Leadership – programs that enable persons, lay and clergy, to be more effective leaders in ministry. 

·        Life Needs – programs that meet the needs of persons in particular life situations such as elders, youth, singles, married couples, divorced persons, blended families, etc. 

We will enhance the experience of hosted retreat groups by providing resources for leadership, worship, and recreation.

We will do adult retreat ministry primarily through a comfortable, highly functional, and elegantly rustic retreat center on the Pecometh site. 

We will do youth retreat ministry primarily through cabins and retreat houses on the Pecometh site. 

We will continue to host church picnics and a limited amount of family camping.


OUTDOOR SCHOOL

 We will develop a ministry of education that understands stewardship of God’s creation to be an essential element of Christian discipleship. 

 We will focus on three areas of programming, primarily for children in Christian schools and children who are home-schooled: 

  • Environmental Education – activities that use the local ecology to teach an understanding of the interdependence of God’s creation and the importance of stewardship.
  • Adventure Activities – activities that result in holistic personal and group development through fun and challenging activities with unknown outcomes.
  • Christian Education – activities that use a variety of Christian disciplines such as bible study, worship, devotions, and prayer to model and teach appropriate Christian development and living.

We will utilize existing Pecometh resources such as Cabins/Retreat Houses, Challenge Course elements, aquatics equipment, etc.

We will develop new resources such as nature trails, upgrades/enhancements to the Challenge Course, and program shelters/kiosks.


SUMMER CAMP 

We will continue a ministry of re-creation through a summer camp for children, youth and special needs adults that helps persons experience Christian community, God’s presence in creation, and opportunities to respond to God’s call in their lives.  

We will increase our focus on programs that utilize the natural and constructed resources at the Pecometh sites:

  • Chester River – experiences of fun and learning that utilize canoes, kayaks, sailboats, powerboats and recreational equipment on and in the water.
  • Challenge Course – adventure activities that are integrated into all summer camp programs to facilitate personal and group development.
  • Swimming Pool – aquatics activities that acknowledge the importance of individual and group water play as central to the summer camp experience.
  • Emory Kirby (Pioneer)Site – activities that utilize a remote and rustic setting to provide experiences of Christian community.

We will continue to upgrade our summer camp facilities including, but not limited to, Boys Hill cabins, Rec Hall, Fellowship Hall, Boys’ staff house, and Wesley House.  

We will continue our efforts to achieve staff and camper populations that reflect God’s gift of diversity.


Values
God Comes First As an extension ministry of the Peninsula-Delaware Conference, a part of the Body of Christ, we seek the will of God, through the power of God, to the glory of God.
Effective Ministry Resource We understand Camping & Retreat Ministries as a valuable resource for the ministry of individuals, churches, communities and our annual conference.
Exceptional Customer Service Every positive contact that we have with our guests can contribute to making a life-changing experience possible.
Outstanding Facilities We strive to provide facilities that are highly functional, meticulously well kept, and accessible to all.
Magnificent Setting We will be good stewards of the gift of Creation that surrounds our facilities.
Quality Programming The programs we provide will seek to meet the spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical interests and needs of our guests.
Passionate Loyalty Acknowledging that Pecometh is a “sacred” place, we will cultivate the loyalty of our guests, staff, and churches by emphasizing the Christian bond that is formed during the “Pecometh Experience.”
Everybody Makes a Difference Each ministry team member is empowered to do whatever it takes to provide a positive camping and retreat experience for our guests.
Unquestioned Integrity We treat others with respect and authenticity, not manipulation and hidden motives.
Absolute Trustworthiness We earn the trust of others by keeping our commitments.  If necessary, we will under-promise and over-deliver.
Constant Change The world in which we live is always changing.  Therefore, we, as a ministry, are open to change.
Continual Improvement Because we can always get better, we strive relentlessly for excellence in all that we do.
Spirited Innovation We understand that successful innovation comes from our willingness to experiment and learn without being paralyzed by the fear of failure.
Lifelong Learning We, like our guests, never stop learning.