Summer Church Camps 2016

Ross Point addresses campers’ fears in its program

Given the fears many experience in these times and the usual fears children have growing up, staff at Ross Point Camp on 60 acres on the Spokane River at Post Falls decided to use the theme “Fear Not!” for its 2016 four age-group camps and a family camp.

Climbers at Ross Point Camp tackle fears

“By adopting a theme and using Bible verse for the weekly programs, volunteer directors feel they have more creativity than they do with a curriculum,” said John Batchelder, executive director for the past 16 years. “The Scripture is Jesus’ promise in Matt. 28, that he will be ‘with you until the end of the age.’  If Jesus is with us, we don’t need to be afraid.”

Not only does John help camp directors develop the theme, but also most directors have come for several years and know the camp.

Directors work with eight paid counselors, aged 20 and older, and other trained counselors.  They received advanced materials and had a three-day training in April about expectations for their age groups.

“They are trained to assume authority without being bossy and to be positive role models,” John said.

“It’s important for campers to feel safe,” he said.  “Counselors help campers live in community, understanding boundaries for behavior.  There is to be no sarcasm or bullying. 

“When they test, and boundaries are enforced, the campers feel better,” John said.

To expand safety, John is participating in a webinar on “Preparing Youth Camps in the Pacific Northwest for Wildland Fire in 2016.”

It is being offered online by Washington State University Extension Services at 2 p.m., Wednesday, June 1.  Information is available by emailing mike.jensen@wsu.edu.

With safety in mind, camp staff cleared combustible material from around buildings, and staff has an active assailant (shooter) policy, given the recent shooting of a pastor in Coeur d’Alene.

“Young people today fear because of mass shootings.  A psychologist with the American Camping Association said that if campers know how the camp is prepared, they feel safer.”

Safety is important so the camps can create the one-to-one relationships among campers and with counselors, and relationships in small and large groups for sharing and interacting.

“Relationships draw campers back year after year,” John said.  “Given social media use, personal relationships are valuable.  We give people a time and place to interact.”

This year, he expects a total of 300 youth to attend the four camps, plus 180 at family camp, including people from four area American Baptist churches, independent churches and with no church background.

In addition, Camp Journey, which is for children with cancer, draws 120 campers and 80 volunteers.

The rest of the summer, other churches use the facilities and lead programs with their own curricula. Ross Point provides a lifeguard and leadership for its high and low ropes courses, climbing tower and cooperative games.

With its new addition to the lodge, Ross Point is now available to small groups with no minimum group size.  Recently, three small groups used the meeting space.

“Last year was one of the best financial years ever,” he said.  “In addition, in the last few years, we have had more junior high campers than ever because of our collaboration with several independent churches.”

For information, call 208-773-1655, email john@rosspoint.org or visit rosspoint.org.

Copyright © June 2016 - The Fig Tree