No Person Left Inside

March 4-6, 2008 an event occurred which hadn’t happened since the 1970s, a Camping Ministries Conference was held at Laurel Ridge, Laurel Springs, North Carolina. The time included representatives from Camp Van-Es, Alberta, Canada; Mount Morris Camp and Conference Center, Wautoma, Wisconsin; Hope Conference and Renewal Center (formerly known as Camp Hope), Hope, New Jersey; and Laurel Ridge Camp, Conference, and Retreat Center. The group of 13 represented board members, camp administrators and facilitators, and programming personnel for each of the camping programs. Their goal was to share the ministries happening in each area and compare notes on what is working well and not so well at each site, as well as how we can exchange ideas and brainstorm what the camping ministry means to the Moravian Church, North America.

The time together allowed for much fellowship as we reconnected with friends and made a few new ones. From the beginning of our time together the passion and commitment of those gathered around the circle was evident. Each one was able to share how this important ministry of our denomination had touched them and the ways in which they were serving to continue this vital ministry for years to come.

As we began, four areas of discussion came to the forefront — general operations, programming, facilities, and communication. The group shared with one another the procedures currently in place at each camp represented, how each camp recruited its volunteers, what programs were currently offered, how the facilities were run and managed, how each camp was promoted and marketed, and what we could do as a group to support one another in this style of ministry. We also brainstormed and compared processes for camp registrations, theme development, evaluations, as well as how we might be able to resurrect the camping exchange program between our Senior High camps.

A common theme for all of our camps is their settings. Each camp is designed to be a place where those who attend can interact with the creation around them, the trees and water, lakes and trails. As we discussed the landscape and appreciation of the environment we realized that our world is still in need of education and motivation to become and be good stewards of God’s world. One way each camping program could do this is to agree to focus programming at the camps on stewardship of Creation and care for the environment for the summer of

2009, as well as beginning or continuing ongoing environment preservation programs like recycling.

While each camp shared a passion for being a place where it might be an instrument through which God would touch the hearts and lives of those who come, it became evident that each camp has its own niche and flavor for how it goes about following its call of ministry. The common thread was the desire to continue to reach out in Christ’s name to offer a place where those who come might learn and grow in their faith in God and in their stewardship and appreciation of God’s creation. “Nurturing followers of Christ is what we do well,” said the Rev. Rick Sides, Board of Christian Education, Southern Province.

Our camping ministries are an important part of our ministry to people of all ages both within and beyond our own denomination. They provide a safe place to find adventure in God’s creation allowing a reconnection with our Creator. Summer isn’t the only time to experience this opportunity. We encourage you to check out the website of the Moravian camp in your district or province to see what programs and facilities are available to you throughout the year.

Written by the Rev. Beth Rohn, chair of the Camping Ministries Committee of the Moravian West Christian Education Committee, on behalf of the participants of the camping ministries conference.