Organising Camps

The cost of running church family camps is becoming prohibitive for many families. Therefore, many churches are opting for several smaller camps targeting specialised groups of people, e.g. youth and women etc. This keeps the initial expense down and spreads the cost on a family over a year.
Accept that there will always be some in the church that feel camps are not their type of activity. There is little point trying to persuade them. Successful reports and the prompting of the Holy Spirit can change their attitude in coming years.

Advantages

It provides people with a break from their weekly routine. This brings refreshment from life’s challenges.
People are free from responsibilities and distractions which enable them to become more open to God’s prompting.
Time with others provides opportunity for fellowship that is not otherwise available.

Points to consider

Do not make the programme so spiritually heavy by arranging meetings and workshops all day and night so that people have no time to relax and enjoy other people’s company. People will get more out of the talks if they are not over loaded. Work out the aim and theme of the camp prayerfully. This may include other peoples’ suggestions apart from your own.
Prayer is extremely important in planning a camp and during the running of it. You need to pray to know the mind of God and pray for God’s protection against sickness and accidents. Pray also for a blessing and for others left at home.
Select wisely suitable people to join the leadership team in organising the camp as you want team unity even if there are differences of opinion. By having some new people on each year means fresh ideas are gleaned. Choose the chairperson carefully. It is not normally the pastor’s job as he is probably already overloaded.
Arrange the programme with balance and creativity. Professional people like things well organised. Have plenty of free time and be flexible to the unexpected prompting of the Spirit.
When you are about to return home from the camp, prepare your people for the real world they will be returning to. Emotional and spiritual highs experienced at camp can all too easily be lost. Encourage people returning home to have a servant and prayerful attitude.

The link below will produce a copy of a time line and check list for those organising camps.

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