HEADING DOWN THE RIGHT PATH
On the Spiritual Side
In the days where “leave no child inside” is becoming so critical, every child needs to have the opportunity to experience God in nature. And, in a week of summer camp, there are more contact hours with campers than a years’ worth of Sunday school classes (if they had perfect attendance). Every year, hundreds of East Ohio campers enjoy fantastic life-changing weeks at Camp Aldersgate, Camp Asbury, Camp Wanake or at one of the other opportunities offered for youth – Reach Out, CYF and Lakeside Institute. Campers come to have incredible experiences, make new friends, try new things, learn about God, learn about themselves and take it all home. There is something for everyone – children, youth, adults, families and staff.
We are committed to our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ. The mission of the church and our camping ministry is to bring people to faith in Christ, nurture them in that faith, and prepare them to go out and share Christ with their world. All that we do is measured against this mission. It is through the relationships built between camp staff and campers that many life-changing choices are made. Many former campers and staff are now in full-time Christian service as pastors or staff in United Methodist churches. Lives are changed because of Christian camping.
Our future, as a country and as a church, depends on children and youth. They are the new generation that will lead. By providing opportunities to explore nature, to dive into personal relationships with Jesus Christ, to expand leadership potential and by providing a place to step away from the tensions of the world, East Ohio Camps will help our children and youth now and well into the future.
“Not only were campers changed by the end of the week but I was changed and made ‘new’ this summer too. ... Instead of just walking through the woods, I began to notice things like the crooked trees fighting for sunlight and beautiful butterflies that land in the dirty mud. The people, the purpose, and the beauty of Camp Asbury are surely glorifying God and making Him smile.”
- Denise Kimble, Camp Asbury summer staff, 2008