This kind of “day camp” has been an extremely important ministry at our church. Why? It has filled in a a gap between the very young kids who participate in Vacation Bible School (VBS) and the adolescent groups that go up to camp for a week. Inbetween thsoe two ages are the “Upper Elementary” kids who desire to be a part of summer camp in some capacity. At our congregation, many non-members have also participated in Vacation Bible Camp throughout the years. This has led to some important evangelism. Yes that’s right you heard me: evangelism.
While it is generally not the desire of Lutherans to feel like the whole world needs to be Lutheran, we do take great pride and serious responsibility in sharing the “greatest story ever told” to those who have not heard it. And in my anecdotal experience, there are a lot of people who have not heard it. I know that many of the kids who participate in our Vacation Bible Camp may not go to church regularly. So this week of camp is an extremely important opportunity to give young people an insight into what the faith is all about.
If you are at a congregation that could use a week of fun, learning, and praising God, I encourage you to check out a Day Camp that might be offered by your local Bible camp organization. We partner with Lutheran Retreats Camps and Conferences. Because of this ministry, many of our children who later go to camp as middle school and high school youth already know some of the counselors and are more likely to have a week of fun and want to go back and continue to participate in camp. And camp can truly be a transformational experience. I would know because it is where I met my wife, and where I discerned the call to minister to young people!
Please keep our church and all the churches who are experiencing camp in your prayers!
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