United Church announces "We Are Camp" campaign starting January 2010

[Administrator]

Excerpt from the United Church of Canada Website:
http://www.united-church.ca/exploring/camping/resources/campaign

"Camping has been a vital ministry of the United Church since union, having grown out of Methodist, Presbyterian, and Congregational/Union church camps that had sprung up across Canada. Today United Church congregations continue to support the development and growth of our camping ministries. Over 20,000 people each year are welcomed, regardless of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, or faith tradition. United Church Camps are faith-based camps that incorporate spirituality, values, and cultural diversity in unique and adventurous ways.

United Church commissioners at the 40th General Council agreed that camping ministries is one of the primary places for faith formation, and is a priority for the church.

The “We Are Camp” campaign, beginning in January of 2010, will work to raise awareness that camping is an integral ministry for young people. Camping is an active and growing outreach ministry of the church that can strengthen and renew the church’s ministry to children, young teens and youth. Intentional linkages between camps and congregations will benefit the ministry of both.


The Mission and Service Fund provided the funds necessary to produce the resources, but camp staff and volunteers—as well as ministry and lay leaders in local congregations—are needed to use the campaign resources, make connections with each other, and work together to strengthen ministry to children and youth in camps and local congregations.

In January, a complimentary copy of the “We Are Camp” kit is being sent to all presbyteries, camps, and Conference offices with tips on how to use the kit to raise awareness. Elements of the kit—as well as the full kit—will be available for order from United Church Resource Distribution."
 

It is encouraging that there is an revived recognition at a senior level of the Church in the importance of Camping in building the young people ministry.  Moorecroft Camp is perfect location for such a ministry.

[camper-1]

I have seen the "We Are Camp" promotional DVD and Moorecroft is one of the camps featured.  Great prelude by the Moderator Mardi Tindal.More on futher distribution and showings with next post.