In one of my earliest memories, I’m 3 or 4 years old and sitting on the lap of a woman from church, crying. We’re under an old A-frame pavilion, just after an outdoor worship service.
My parents have joined a shaving cream fight between Bible campers and counselors. From my vantage point, Mom and Dad seem to be losing. I’m far too young to appreciate what’s really happening.
Roughly 45 years ago, that was my first taste of church camp.
As summer draws to a close, youth ministers, parents and congregations are recovering from the tremendous work and energy poured into the most important week of the year for some children.
For many Christians, those two words — church camp — are filled with memories of silly songs and serious Bible study, late-night devotionals and lifelong friendships. Countless believers trace the beginning of their walk with Christ to a week spent at camp.
The significance of church camp is reflected in the language of both campers and staff. Camp is frequently described as a “temporary escape from the world.” For some, it provides a welcome break from the boredom of home or the demands of a summer job, band practice or athletic training.
For far too many others, however, a week at church camp offers a refuge from the painful realities of a broken or dysfunctional home.
Not every child who attends camp comes from a Christian family, and even among those who do, family dysfunction is often still a painful reality. For these campers, the week provides far more than Bible classes and recreation. It offers safety, stability and a Christ-centered community where they are loved, encouraged and known.
When done well, church camp reminds young people that faith is far more than a Sunday activity. Bible classes, worship and one-on-one conversations invite them to wrestle with meaningful questions about God and their lives.
“When done well, church camp reminds young people that faith is far more than a Sunday activity. Bible classes, worship and one-on-one conversations invite them to wrestle with meaningful questions about God and their lives.”
Sports and other activities become opportunities to embody the life of faith. Even the goofy skits, talent shows and other camp shenanigans help campers see that the adults leading them are genuine, approachable people who love the Lord and love them. And when a camper decides to put on Christ in baptism, few experiences compare to watching fellow teenagers surround them in the pool, rejoicing as they welcome a new brother or sister into the family of God.
One other benefit of church camp is often overlooked. During a meeting of partners with Pepperdine University’s Empower and Equip Initiative for Rural and Small Churches — funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. — one participant observed that church camps play a unique role in unifying congregations.
Counselors at Camp Wyldewood in Searcy, Ark., perform the Viking Row chant —popularized by Norway’s World Cup soccer team — during a counselors-versus-campers basketball game.
Youth ministers, parents and volunteers from multiple churches work together to direct and host camps, bringing their young people together for a shared week of worship, study and fellowship. In the process, they build friendships that extend beyond their own congregations and create a shared identity that was once more commonly fostered through Christian universities, lectureships and other gatherings. Church camp reminds us that we are not isolated congregations but members of one body of believers, united in the mission of passing our faith to the next generation.
If you are one of the camp directors, counselors, cooks, nurses or volunteers still recovering from late-night devotionals, Bible classes, games and endless activity, remember Paul’s encouragement: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain” — 1 Corinthians 15:58.
JEREMIE BELLER is a contributing editor for The Christian Chronicle. He is dean of Bible and director of church relations for Oklahoma Christian University. He serves as the congregational minister for the Wilshire Church of Christ in Oklahoma City.
