Hot fun in the summer sun is just around the corner. The end of the school year and the long days of summer will bring a variety of summer camps and mission opportunities for all ages, and the experiences can foster relationships with others while strengthening relationships with God. With registration for camps and mission trips gearing up, it’s a decision that needs to be made soon.
Whether an adult, teen or child it’s important the selection of a camp or mission trip accommodate all or some of the interests and goals of those participating.
Impact Virginia participants in 2011 taking measurements for a construction project.
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While bonfires and roasting marshmallows are fun camp activities, many camps offer diverse programs for those with talents and interests in music and the arts, creative ministries, hands-on missions and with tracks offering activities from culinary arts to sailing to horseback riding. Many churches in the Mid-Atlantic also offer camps and summer programs for their members and communities.
This is the first summer that Convergence: A Creative Community of Faith in Alexandria, Va., is inviting elementary aged children to join artists and folks from the extended Convergence community to explore the arts through play. At Convergence Creative Camps children will experiment in the visual arts, poetry, drama, music and movement in a series of activities and rotations.
“Kids need permission to actively engage their imagination and play is the way they learn to make sense of the world,” says Lisa Cole Smith, pastor of Convergence. The camp is an outreach to the community and also a collaborative project among artists and participants in our community, both from the church and the arts center, she says.
Children at last year’s MC2 mixing cookie batter as a mission project.
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“We work hard to make CrossRoads Camp appeal to a lot of children,” says Reuben Todd, director of the camp in Lowesville, Va.. “Our ministry focus is helping the camper realize how they can serve Christ wherever they are, that we can all be missionaries.” Todd says its mountaineering track has been one of the most popular for several years and this summer they’ve added a new level for campers 12 and older to heighten their experience.
And can you guess the camp’s most popular track last year? Culinary arts–which was filled every week offered, says Todd. This summer there will be a second level with campers trying new recipes and different cooking styles.
Camp Piankatank’s waterfront location on the beautiful Piankatank River makes it the perfect location for sailing, canoeing and kayaking. Rock climbing, a challenge course and horseback riding are just a few of the many activities offered.
“Our goal is to give children a week unlike any other they’ll experience all year long,” says Steve Gourley, co-director. “We strive to create the most exciting experience possible where a child can learn about God, themselves and others,” he says.
Looking to do missions this summer with your entire family? Virginia Baptists’ MC2 is an intergenerational experience featuring missions, worship, discipleship and fellowship for all ages. Youth and adults at the Missions Connection Celebration held in July at Eagle Eyrie will minister through a variety of service projects in the greater Lynchburg area ranging from VBS to construction to visitation opportunities.
The theme for Virginia Baptists’ hands-on mission camp, Impact Virginia!, is “Wherever,” with experiences designed to guide participants into an understanding of how faith actually “works.” Students will participate in construction projects in Chesterfield, Appomattox, King William and Middlesex counties this summer.
“We typically fill three out of four of our Impact Virginia! weeks each year, and two weeks are already at capacity this year,” reports Dean Miller, Virginia missions coordinator for the VBMB.
Impact Metro! projects are planned in Richmond and Roanoke. Miller says Impact Metro! is designed differently from the traditional Impact Virginia! Participants will not work on large construction projects, but in soup kitchens, food pantries, clothes closets as well as churches that host ministries in an urban setting, he says.
It’s no secret that the economic downturn and gas prices of over $5.00 a gallon predicted by summer may have an effect on decisions this year.
“The feedback I’ve received from campers is that they are excited to come back to camp and parents who have seen the positive impact CrossRoads has are planning to send them back for more,” says Todd. “I think we’ll see more folks carpooling, and perhaps more church vans being utilized.”
“I believe that organizations attempting to reach a national audience may suffer,” says Miller. “But since our audience are BGAV churches and they have choices as to how far they travel, an additional 100-200 miles likely will not make or break a decision to participate,” he says. “It will obviously affect our internal expenses as the staff does a great deal of traveling and hauling trailers to all of the projects,” he adds.
For church groups choosing to do something closer to home, Miller says that his office will be available to assist in connecting them to partners and other mission opportunities nearby.
Cost does play a larger role when making decisions on overseas missions, says Craig Waddell, partnership missions coordinator for the VBMB. “The energetic response to the Panama partnership this year has partly to do with the lower financial requirement,” he says.
“For many the cost is one of the main determining factors when making a decision about when and where to serve on mission,” admits Nichole Prillaman, missions volunteer coordinator for the VBMB. “Many churches are now looking for more local ministry opportunities because they are not able to afford costly international trips.” But the shift in some ways is exciting, she says, because people are starting to see needs within their own communities and are finding ways to act on those needs.
Summer is right around the corner. The decision is yours.
Barbara Francis ([email protected]) is a staff writer for the Religious Herald.