In 2024, the BWM played a key role in increasing the “exchange rate” of youth and young adult participants, as well as staff members, at our summer camp programs. With the generous financial support of the Eastern and Western Districts of the Northern Province, as well as some congregations that offered camper scholarships, the BWM was able to facilitate exchange camper experiences for more than 25 youth and staff.
The exchanges were facilitated within the Northern and Southern Provinces and with global partners, with young adults from Jamaica attending both Chetek (Wisconsin) and Tar Hollow (Ohio), as well as a group of middle high campers from Labrador attending Laurel Ridge (North Carolina).
Members of the BWM staff and board of directors served as deans, camp directors, program leaders, and cabin counselors, as well. Our summer camping programs remain a critical touchpoint for the BWM’s connections with youth and young adults – introducing campers to the blessings and opportunities that come from their participation in mission and ministry in the wider Moravian Unity.
Many camp participants have gone on to serve on domestic and international mission trips, as BWM summer interns, and as board and staff members of the BWM.
These exchange programs will continue in the future, and already a group from the Moravian Church in Germany has accepted an invitation to attend Chetek in the summer of 2025, with the hope that a group from the North American Moravian Church will join them at their summer camp in 2026.
