OVERALL GOALS FOR

CAMPERS

Camping is an integral part of the church’s program of Christian Education.  Within a 24 hour-a-day setting, church camping offers a unique opportunity to participate in Christian communal living as each camper and counselor is challenged to grow in, explore and act on their Christian faith.

Nature is to be discovered and enjoyed and is a means to bring campers and counselors to an awareness of God as Father, Creator, and Redeemer.  Living within God’s creation and caring for that creation through a variety of activities and responsibilities allows campers and counselors to understand and practice servant leadership, as modeled by Jesus Christ.

As campers and counselors experience the simple living of a small group, they true participants as they take part in planning the activities of each day and help make decisions which affect their lives, develop a stake in their own program: activities that have meaning for their lives resulting in changes that take place as an individual and Christian.

Through the process of church camp, campers and counselors engage in a process together, building a Christian community and creating a safe place where each person is encouraged to live out their faith in their everyday camp life.

Camp Cherokee

Goals and Objectives for Camper Development

The following list details goals and objectives for  Camp Cherokee.

1.      To provide opportunities that stimulates the development of each camper’s self-esteem.

a.       Each camper will select their own activity during “individual choice” time.

b.      Each camper will participate in at least one activity to promote self-esteem, which may include: challenge course, archery, arts & crafts, canoeing, wilderness skills, and cabin discussions.

c.       Campers will participate in getting-to-know-you games during the first 24 hours of camp.

d.      Staff will provide the campers with positive comments and encouragement throughout their stay.

2.      To help each camper appreciate their natural surroundings and take an active role in the stewardship of our environment.

a.       Each camper will attend at least one campfire during their stay at camp.

b.      Each camper will have the opportunity to participate in some nature activity, in addition to the nature session, which could include one of the following:  hiking, environmental activities, or other appropriate activity.

c.       At the beginning of each session, the campers will discuss as a group, the importance of taking care of their camp and the type of things that they need to do such as picking up litter, staying on trails, not picking flowers, respecting property (no graffiti), caring for the wildlife, and conserving water.

d.      Campers and staff will participate in recycling of materials such as aluminum cans, plastic, cardboard, and paper.

e.       Each family group will be encouraged to perform a service project at camp to help the environment such as picking up litter, recycling, erosion control, exotic species removal, and trail maintenance.

3.      To provide situations for each camper to set goals and challenge themselves while discovering his or her own skills and abilities.

a.       Each camper will participate in at least two activities during the week that will personally challenge the camper - such as the challenge course, hiking, outdoor living skills, arts and crafts, canoeing, group games, and dance.

b.     Campers will have the opportunity to work in small groups helping with the set up and clean up of meals with each camper taking on different roles.

c.       Campers will learn at least one new skill while at camp.

4.      To allow each child to experience group living.

a.       Each camper will participate each session in at least one family group activity, all-camp activity, job after meals, or worship program.

b.      Each camper will live in a group with other campers either in cabins or hogans.  Within these groups, campers will be part of a community-making decisions and keeping the area clean.

c.      Each camper will participate in a democratic decision-making process in each unit, each session, called camper planning.

d.      Each session of camp will have at least one all-camp activity that two representatives of each family group will assist in planning.

e.     Campers will participate in meals served family style.

5.  To provide opportunities for spiritual growth and development in the Christian faith.

      a.  Campers will participate in daily Bible study sessions led by counselors.

      b.  Each camper will participate in planning an evening worship service.

      c.  Day to day activities are centered around the Bible lessons and Christian beliefs.

      d.  Each camper will be challenged to explore, grow in, and act on their Christian faith.

      e.  Each camper will be challenged to strive to build a Christ – centered community.

      f.  Each camper will live in and care for God’s Creation.

      g.  Each camper will learn to understand and practice servant leadership.