"It's a place where you can go and just forget about everything holding you back and focus on why we were put here in the first place and just to praise our God."
"A great place to make new friends, and not be judged, while connecting more with God in the process."
"Camp is like Christmas. You look forward to it every year, and don't want it ever end!"
"A lot of Jesus, friends, growing, laughing, learning, fun and chicken paprikas."
Youth Camp
Theme: God is not dead.... and He's still speaking
Daily Topics Include:
Depression and Anxiety
Bullying and Gossip
Sex and the Sanctity of Life
Drugs, Alcohol and Peer Pressure
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Junior Camp
Theme: Olympics!
Daily Topics Include:
Being Chosen for the Team
Training
Hurdles
The Coach
The Trophy
Bible studies are held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Your assigned group will go to each. You'll go to one on Monday, another on Tuesday, and so on
Topics are:
Spiritual Gifts - Led by Gretchen
Fruits of the Spirit - Led by Barb
What God Says About the Occult - Led by Maryann
Afternoon Activities
The following (and other) activities are offered during afternoon free time throughout the week. Campers must take part in at least one, each day. Different activities are offered on different days. Some, like swimming, are offered every day.
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Workshops
You must attend a workshop. Choose one & you'll go to it all week after supper:
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Tennis and Pickleball - led by Andrew
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Safety and Marksmanship - led by Frank
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Sew/Knit/Crochet/Embroider - led by Rev. Mayer and Barb
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Hungarian Cooking - led by Gabe
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Influence of Social Media - led by Maryann
* A special note for Junior Camp: Junior camp will rotate each day to a different workshop
Evening Programs
SUNDAY - KEYNOTE - Introductions, instructions, an Important Message, ice breakers, games and snacks. It's how we get to know each other.
MONDAY - INITIATION - All new participants are welcomed into the Camp family through a silly initiation on Monday night. It's harmless fun that everyone goes through their first year & then laughs about every year after. New people should bring clothes that can get wet/messy to wear this evening.
TUESDAY - The Staff will Collaborate for an evening of fun games or challenges for campers to enjoy.
WEDNESDAY - PIZZA PARTY - In the Meeting House, we'll have plenty of loud music, games, contests, food & fun.
THURSDAY - GYM OR SWIM - Campers will choose either a night swim, or free play at the Shenandoah gym building. Swimmers will bring dry clothes & sneakers to change into after swimming... they will join the gym crowd to enjoy snacks & to wrap up the evening.
FRIDAY - CONSECRATION SERVICE - This is an evening church service to end our week at Camp. There will be Holy Communion. You may wish to dress up for this event, but it is not mandatory. Before the service, find a small stick that will represent your sins. At the proper time, you'll throw the stick into the fire as a symbol of repentance.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
To strengthen Christian attitudes and giving, we have two traditions:
Encouragement Notes
There will be a personalized container for each Camp attendee placed in the Meetinghouse. Into these containers, everyone is encouraged throughout the week to place friendly, encouraging notes and/or bible verses to build each other up.
Friday, after Consecration Service, each person takes his or her container from its place and takes it home on Saturday.
Many people keep these notes for years and years... it's fun to go back through them time after time... especially when you need a little boost to your spirit.
Secret Angel
This project is very special and very fun.
On a 2009 Mission trip to Hungary, some of our Camp attendees visited a Camp over there and brought the idea home to try here. It's been a real hit and we've been doing it ever since!
All attendees' names are put into a bucket and everybody draws a name randomly. You are the Secret Angel to the person whose name you drew.
Throughout the week, you can use other people ("minions") to deliver special notes or little gifts to your person, or you can send a "minion" to clear your person's dishes at meal time, or any nice thing... and you try to keep your identity a secret. Minions can deliver your favors and tell your person "this is from your Secret Angel."
On Saturday morning, after breakfast, we reveal who each person's Angel was. Don't forget to say thanks! And don't forget to be an Angel!
Your Bible! Don't have one? We'll have extras.
Flashlight, sweatshirts/hoodies, camp clothes (note: tops worn in the dining hall must cover shoulders, at the request of LMCC), rain gear, your bible, sturdy shoes, swimsuit, soap & other personal products, bug spray, your bible, sunscreen, writing utensils, snacks, spending money (inc. quarters and singles), camera, one set of dress clothes, musical instrument, masks and hand sanitizer. etc.
You may bring your own towels, blankets, sheets, pillow(s), but these items will be provided. Sleeping bags may also be used. *Boys & men might want to bring some extra padding, and even an extra blanket or sleeping bag because the mattresses in their building could use a little help.
You can bring snacks if you want to, but you may not eat them in your room where you sleep. The Staff at Laurelville has requested no food in rooms so they don't have bug & rodent issues. Seriously... mice and bugs where you sleep? Gross.
Private property & valuables are brought at Camper's own risk.
Weapons, explosives of any kind, drugs, alcohol, bad attitudes, objectionable clothing, books or magazines, TVs, video games, computers, or any other media device.
Don't forget your Bible!
Other Campers are just like you and your friends at home. Make friends early, since the week goes by fast. If you get homesick easily, bring a friend to Camp with you to make it better.
You will be assigned a Counselor and a room on Sunday. No, you may not switch rooms. It's okay... you'll be fine. Unless you snack in there and attract mice. Then you're on your own.
All of the Counselors are YOUR Counselor throughout the day. You are expected to respect and obey all of them. They'll respect you, too.
You have to have a Counselor with you on any activity that seems adventurous (hikes, climbs, non-pool swims, etc).
Bottled water & juice pouches will be available in the common areas in both the girls' building and the boys' building. These are 25 cents each on the merit system.
Morning Devotions are a time where you go off by yourself & find a quiet spot (preferably outside if the weather allows) to read, pray and just hang out with God. Your Counselors do theirs before breakfast.
We're going to see what you look like anyway. You don't need to spend hours on hair and makeup. Just be you! It's okay, we're all weird!
Be on time for everything and always know where your Counselor is. They're always running off, please keep an eye on them. Just keep an eye on everyone in general!
There is a cave. It's not just a rumor. You need a Counselor to take you there. Not all of them know the way.
Counselors, Directors and Ministers are there to help. They're really friendly, too... don't be afraid to talk to any of them about anything. If one can't answer your questions, ask another... or give them time to find the answer for you.
We take a big group picture on Monday morning, it will be mailed to you at some point.
Many people choose to dress up for the Friday night Consecration Service, but nice clothes are optional.
Meal Prayers
Before each meal, the group will be asked for a Volunteer to say Grace. After the on-the-spot prayer, we have two prayers we all say together, one in English and one in Hungarian:
(1)
Come, Lord Jesus, be our Guest
Let this food to us be blessed.
And may there be a goodly share
On every table everywhere.
(2)
Taps
Yes, as in the tune that's played by a bugler at a soldier's funeral. It has words. We sing the first verse as a group in a circle holding crossed-armed hands (right over left) at the end of the day before retiring to our rooms.
Day is done
Gone the sun
From the lakes
From the hills
From the sky
All is well
Safely rest
God is nigh
Don't know the tune? We're sure you'll have no problem finding it online.
The Camp begins with registration at 3:00 pm on Sunday and extends to 10:00 am the following Saturday. Please observe these times when making your travel plans.
The schedule is available to view here
~ ALL TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE ~
* These are the most likely to change, on account of the evening program. Evening programs might take more or less time, depending on the nature of/participation in the program.
Language Needs:
We are a primarily English-speaking group, but many of the people who attend Camp speak a variety of languages including Hungarian & Spanish. Check the space on the camp registration form if Hungarian is your strongest language we'll accommodate as much as possible (e.g. roommates, Bible Study).
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Only parents and guests (invited by the Directors) will be considered visitors. Visitors must check in with one of the Camp Directors. Fees may apply.
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Car keys of Campers must be given to one of the Camp Directors.
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Anyone wishing to leave the Camp must obtain the permission of the Camp Directors.
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No one is to be outdoors after Lights Out.
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Boys MAY NOT go into the girls' rooms and girls MAY NOT go into the boys' rooms!!! No "Purpling."
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Tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, e-cigs, etc), vaping devices, nicotine, alcohol, drugs and "energy drinks" are not permitted anywhere on the campgrounds. Anyone violating this rule will be sent home. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS!
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Damage of any kind will not be tolerated. Cost for intentional damage will be the responsibility of the person(s) involved.
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Any person found to be behaving in an improper manner will be sent home at the discretion of the Camp Directors.
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All Camp attendees are to be treated with respect. No playing favorites!
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Objectionable media and clothing are not permitted at Camp. They will be confiscated if brought and only returned to Camper's parent.
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During meals, please wear tops that cover your shoulders. Gentlemen will remove their hats upon entering any building.
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Lights out for Jr. Campers will be earlier than for Youth Campers. Jr's will leave the evening program when they're told.
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Right to Search Policy: We reserve the right to search the private belongings of Campers if the general welfare of the Camp demands it. Reasons for a search include but are not limited to situations where: (a) a Camper is suspected of having illegal drugs, alcohol, or other contraband, (2) a Camper is suspected of stealing, and/or (3) a Camper is suspected of having inappropriate materals.
Yes. In
compliance with Pennsylvania's laws, all Camp
Staff must be background checked on a yearly
basis.
We also
require all Camp Staff, every 3 years, to send two
letters of recommendation along with their
registration & health form. One of these letters
must be written by one's current Pastor. The other
letter can be from anyone you choose. Letters
should tell us why you would make a good Christian
Camp Counselor.
For Counselors
"In everything, set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching, show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us." -- Titus 2:7-8
A Counselor/CIT (Counselor-in-Training) should
be:
-a committed Christian
-of good moral character
-living within the Calvin Synod's guidelines for lay ministry
The following standards of behavior are expected of all Camp Counselors according to Calvin Synod Bylaws provisions:
Article I, F: "Those who are called to office in the Church are to lead a life of obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the Church. Among those standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage of man and woman, or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to cease and repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as lay officers or ministers of work and sacrament in the Calvin Synod."
Article X, B: "Scripture and our confessions teach that God's intention for all people is to live within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or in chastity in singleness. Church property shall not be used for, and church officers will shall not take part in conducting or participating in, any ceremony or event that pronounces blessing of God upon any relationship that is inconsistent with God's intention as expressed herewith."
Parents are giving to us, for one week, their most precious asset: their children. They expect that we take our jobs seriously. God is allowing us one week a year to impact these young lives for His Kingdom. You are a role model to these young people. If you do not care to be a role model, then you should reconsider being a Counselor. The Campers look to us for examples of how to respond to activities, others and authority. Remember this as you share with them during the week. Be grateful for the awesome opportunity to serve the Lord and lead young lives.
Check your faith walk. In 2 Corinthians 13:5, the Bible says to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. Have you committed your life to Christ? If not, how can you lead a young person where you have not been? If you have, how is your commitment holding up? There are moral obligations and rules associated with the responsibility of being a Counselor. Know what they are, and if you are not in the position to follow them or agree with them, be gracious and bow out. Walk your talk. It's easy to tell these young people how they should live for Christ, but it won't hold much credibility if you aren't doing it yourself. Teens can sense hypocrisy a mile away.
Being a Counselor is work. This is NOT a vacation. If you need a restful vacation, this is not the place to do it.
A Counselor MUST attend all functions unless another responsibility prevents you from attending. Remember, you set the standards and tone for your Campers.
Never contradict another Counselor in front of a Camper. Take it up with them privately at a later time. Camp is a team endeavor and works best if everyone is pulling his or her weight. Remember, we all make mistakes. Forgive those who have hurt you and ask forgiveness from those you may have hurt. Always extend grace to each other. We are all humans and we all mess up once in a while. Make it a conscious decision to treat with love your Campers and fellow Counselors.
Don't grumble if something new is added. Change is something that is constant in this world. The new Campers won't know the difference anyway. Change keeps us from getting stale.
If you have any difficulties with theological or other answering questions that Campers ask, go to someone for help. Don't just give them a guess. It's better to have them wait an hour or a day to give them a confirmed answer than to feed them error.
We must all realize that there is a difference between a preference and what is Biblically correct. Biblically correct will always be the right answer.
As counselors, our first obligation is to make this the best Camp experience for the young people in our charge.
The counselor-in-training program is required for carefully recommended individuals 19 years and older coming to Camp as new Staff. CITs serve as assistants to the Counselors.