Camp is coming! Only6 months until we take off over the desert to Ironwood for a week away from the distractions of everyday life to a place where our teens can focus on taking strides in their spiritual walk. Here are some things that I got from Ironwood last summer that help explain the benefit of camp. It was also included in our February church newsletter.

Why Involve Young People in a Camping Program?

Stop, slow down, and listen! It is getting harder and harder to get young people to “listen up” in the “hurry up”society of our modern world. The simple answer to the question of why we use camp is that we find it easier to get folks to listen to the Word of God at camp. It has been said that camp is a harvest time for decisions. Many times the seed has been sown in the home or the local church, it has been watered from time to time, and then the time of harvesting comes when “decisions” are made at camp.

Some things to consider from Ironwood:

• 90% of unsaved kids coming to camp will make a profession of faith that week. (The hard part is getting churches to bring them!)

• 85% of all the kids will make some type of spiritual decision that will aid in their spiritual growth

• 60% of fundamental pastors and missionaries were either saved at camp or dedicated their lives to God at camp.

• 85% of Christians are saved by their 15^th birthday

What makes all this possible?

Foundational Aspects of Camp

1. Biblical philosophy with written goals and objectives to accomplish the stated purpose.

2. Selection, development, and supervision of a godly staff team as examples and implementers of the philosophy

3. A planned, organized, age-specific program that deals directly with the young person's goal to have FUN!

4. A safe and healthy environment (parent's goal)

5. Spiritual impact on campers (local churches' goal) - “spiritual punch”

Unique Aspects of Camp

1. Minimize the offenses and cares of the world (Mt 18:1-14

2. Identify and eliminate all distractions while the kids are at camp

3. Implement your “Spiritual Punch” as much and as often as possible