The heart of Vanderkamp’s program is a heart for kids and we’d love to offer your child or teen the highlight of his/her year! You’ll notice the difference the moment you arrive -- a special atmosphere of fun and acceptance sparked by an enthusiastic, caring, adult staff team in a beautiful setting many call “holy ground.”

We know how much a summer camp can mean to a young person. My wife and I both attended camp as children and have worked at camp as adults, and those experiences have helped shape our lives. Camp provides a dramatic growth experience... and it is FUN! Vanderkamp is youth-oriented, spiritually-based, and action-packed. It’s a life-changing, fun-filled adventure, an investment in your child’s life -- physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

Benefits of a Vanderkamp experience include developing friendships in an accepting environment, opportunities for Christian faith formation, unconditional acceptance and encouragement, strengthened self-esteem, and awesome adventure.

Below is an article my wife and I wrote for a local Christian newspaper that will help parents answer the question, "Why choose a Christian summer camp?" Call me if I can help you further in choosing a Christian camp for your child, teen, or family.

Our goal is that your child will have an unforgettable week that will change his/her life forever!

God' peace,

Tom Hall

Plan to attend the Annual Open House, call today for a tour or to invite Tom (and the Vanderkamp Crew) to your home, church, or group gathering! Contact the Vanderkamp Office at vkcenter@localnet.com or 315-675-3651.

“Summer Camp” means many things to many people – activities, friends, escape from the routine, and lots more. A good camp experience teaches the fine art of living at one’s best, and features the creation of a caring and affirming community. It should be an experience campers remember for the rest of their lives – even if they attend only once.

Quality Christian camps provide environments for youngsters to explore God’s creative genius, the leisure to discover one’s self, a community of fun and faith in which to develop a genuine awareness of others, and the opportunity to foster a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. At camp, campers may learn to paddle a canoe, climb a wall, or make a friend. In addition to these skills, however, they are led to appreciate the grace of a canoe, the mystery of the wall, and the sacredness of human relationships. Children have the opportunity to develop positive social skills and a sound sense of Christian values, while experiencing growth in personality, character, and a broader outlook on life.

A Christian summer camp is a place for simplicity, relaxation, fun, freedom, and responsibility. Campers are healthy and happy. They laugh and actually enjoy living simply without the distraction of television or video games. They sing, pray, splash, and run. God shines in their smiles and hugs. They are full of life and innocent mischief. “Fun for the sake of fun” flourishes, as does learning for the sake of personal knowledge. Worship is a natural outgrowth of the developing Christian community. Programs provide retreat from regimentation and pressure of everyday life, while reflecting organization and providing opportunities for personal growth.

Much of the spiritual development campers experience comes from participation in the overall program and living in a group setting. Participants experience the give and take of life as members of a cabin or bunk group, learning that harmony in human relationships is the basis of friendship. Children acquire interpersonal and coping skills by living and playing together in a unique, independent setting. Quality Christian camps teach accountability in all aspects of life – that we each have an inescapable responsibility for living together in community.

Adults also benefit from the camp experience whether as summer staff, or as participants in adult and family programs. A former summer staff member said, “Working at camp gave me the opportunity to develop leadership skills…to use in every aspect of my life. [It] was the most challenging job, spiritually and physically, I have ever had. I would encourage all Christians…to serve Jesus Christ in the home mission field we call Christian Camping.” Another added, “I learned to verbalize what I believe as a Christian, and why I believe the way I do.”

It’s the leaders who make the difference at camp. They come in all shapes and ages, from young believers willing to share their hopes and dreams, to older Christians able to share their stories of God’s continued grace and steadfast love. Counselors help campers learn to use their napkins at lunch and discover the best frog-catching spots during the afternoon. Lifeguards teach water safety skills plus show campers the grace of a canoe cutting sharply through the water. Crafts instructors teach lifetime crafting skills, plus enjoy the mess and synergy of creativity. All staff sing silly songs and act in outrageous skits, while sharing God’s love through Bible exploration, campfire programs, and devotions, and serving as role models and heroes to campers!

Soccer or basketball can be learned during the school year, and Europe will still be there years from now. Even with perfect attendance, a child will only spend about 50 hours in church school this year, with only one teacher. In one week at a Christian summer camp, children are fully immersed in a Christian community they help to create, with an entire staff of young adult role models who want to share the love of God with them. Because they witness the power and depth of God’s love at camp, many young people return home more excited about church and Christian education.

There are only a few precious years in which we can give youngsters a boost into confident young adulthood and help to develop strong leaders for the Church. Christian summer camp is the place where this can happen.
 
 

Co-authored by
Tink Rabey-Hall, American Camp Association Upstate New York Executive Director
and Thomas A. Hall, Vanderkamp Center Executive Director (vkcenter@localnet.org or 315-675-3651).
 

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