Place of Faith and Fun


Kirkwood’s director counts the ways summer camp features both BY TOMMY CAMPBELL, DIRECTOR, CAMP KIRKWOOD


nicknames, new games, and their own group dynamic for the week. Tis is fun because the groups are, by design, supportive of one another and take inspiration from how the disciples lived together during the time of Jesus.


“Positive experience without technology”—no kid or teen will admit to this definition of fun, but they appreciate it. Enough said.


“Camp is so much fun!” If you talk to any of our campers from last summer, that’s probably the first thing you will hear (which is great!). But—and let me get a little philosophical here—what exactly does that mean? Fun has ballooned to become this catchall word for “mostly positive and/or exciting experience.” So let’s break it down: What is fun?


“Positive experience of trying something new” is one of the definitions of fun at Camp Kirkwood. We humans are good at streamlining and modernizing to the point where we have reduced our exposure to things that are different, challenging, and growth producing. At camp, kids can try a number of new activities—archery, boating, camping out in the woods, and riding a zip line are some examples.


Beyond engaging in typical summer-camp activities, campers will live with their small group for the week and learn to plan and overcome challenges as a team. Tere are a lot of important, complex growth experiences involved here—so you can understand how it’s easier to just call it “fun.”


Similarly, another definition of “fun” at camp is “living together in community with new people.” Almost like a technology-free, six-day sleepover with people you have never met, a week of camp is an opportunity to build your own brief civilization—within the general values and safety guidelines of the camp, of course. Groups will adopt their own names, work with their counselors to find their own special spot in the woods, and come up with songs,


“Faith growth that is exciting.” Tis is huge, and desperately needed for everyone under the age of 18 (and over, but you adults reading this will have to come in the other three seasons of the year that we are open). Faith for kids and adults is notoriously hard to articulate, which isn’t surprising, considering the personal and mysterious nature of the relationship we all share with our Creator. Camp at Kirkwood offers a few tools for campers to learn how to explore, discuss, discern, and deal with their faith. For our 57 years of existence, we have been able to do this in ways that are dedicated but also exciting and accessible. Tat packs a lot of things into “fun.”


Well … maybe “fun” is also the best definition for itself. Campers will laugh so hard they can’t breathe, run themselves practically to sleep playing crazy games (we have a lot of new ones this year), make new friends to hang out with, sing songs around a campfire—they will make memories that will last forever.


So—will campers at Kirkwood have fun this summer? You better believe it—fun in every sense of the word.


HOW TO ENROLL IN SUMMER CAMP


Kirkwood Camp in Stroudsburg has a variety of camp experiences available for kids in rising grades 3 through 12. They range from weeklong Traditional Camp and the arts-oriented Joy of Creation for all ages served, to camps specially designed for lower elementary grades and adolescents. Tiered fees allow families to support the ministry according to their abilities. For information and registration, go to kirkwoodcamp.org or call 570-421-8625.


11


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12