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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
September 2002 |
Saluting Outdoor Ministries:
From tots to gramps; clowns to canoes … and some real surprises!
By Joyce Elliott
Hoosier UM News Special Correspondent
Efforts to attract an ever greater variety of campers may have reached new heights in Indiana Methodism this summer when the two annual conferences offered more than two dozen new and revised camping programs.
Here's a sampling:
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Rivervale offered a four-day, three-night camping experience for grandparents, parents, and kids. Shared intergenerational activities that involved folks aged four to 72 created special bonding. One family of four vowed the experience was "the best family vacation we've ever had."
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Clown Around Camp at Pine Creek offered hands-on clowning experience to early elementary children. Humor and drama partnered with the Gospel to create an end-of-camp program for parents and staff. Middle schoolers at Pine Creek got hands-on experience at Computer Camp, Cinematography Camp, Exploring Art Camp, and S.U.R.V.I.V.O.R. Camp.
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Perhaps the most surprising success at Pine Creek was Are You Afraid of the Dark? Camp. Sleeping all day and filling the night with activities had campers asking some soul-searching questions of Pastor Sue Spurlin (Mt. Zion) "It was great to . have the chance to tell them why I believe in God," Spurlin reported.
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A new rustic, survival type camp debuted at Camp Outback, located between Camp Adventure and Epworth Forest. Camp Adventure was also the site of Rock Climbing Camp, which proved to be so much in demand that a second session had to be added.
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At Lakewood, Indian Lore and Life, a camp that explored lifestyles and survival skills of Native American tribes, strongly emphasized God's creation. Surviving the Wilderness Camp taught outdoor skills, including building shelters and cooking. A new offering was a day camp geared to sharing the message of Jesus Christ with elementary age children from surrounding communities.
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At Monéto, Camp Encounter welcomed inner city kids who had never before experienced residential camping. Reportedly activities receiving the most enthusiastic and surprising responses were canoeing and spelunking. In fact, exploring nearby Elrod Cave proved to be such a resounding success that it will definitely be repeated next year, reported spelunking leader, Rev. Wayne Tucker (Jamestown).
"The NIC is continually striving to breathe new life into their camping program . with a singular focus: that Christ might have opportunity to breathe new life into the lives of the campers," says Outdoor Ministries communications chief, Robert Holtz.
Ian Hall and the rest of the SIC Outdoor Ministries staff pursue the same goal.
We salute this Christ-centered commitment and the ingenuity, faith and hard work that produced these and other church camp experiences throughout Indiana Methodism this summer.
Last updated on 01/14/2004