Summer Camp Programs

Camp place to be close to God in the wilderness

 

Twinlow Camp and Conference Center’s program manager, Kristen Moon, is initiating several new camps for 2015. 

Twinlow camp offers camps for children, youth and families including watersports plus

In an offsite high school adventure camp, campers will backpack, rock climb, raft and sleep under the stars.

At a junior fine arts camp for fourth to sixth graders, campers will learn about worship and Bible studies by creating art, doing drama and dancing.

A junior high lake camp will combine fishing, sailing and watersports.

Twinlow offers programs for children in elementary, junior and senior high simultaneously so parents can bring them any week that fits their schedule.  The different ages have different programs and cabins, but share worship, meals and lake time. 

“Camp is a sanctuary, a place to be close to God in the wilderness,” she said.  “It is a safe, loving place to connect with the Creator and others, and to grow as disciples of Christ to transform the world.”

For some, camp is a first encounter with a faith community that draws them into a local youth group and church, she said.

The 22 counselors who are each certified lifeguards facilitate its program, along with 60 volunteers from United Methodist churches. 

Other volunteers are “Nomads,” retired United Methodist couples who go around the U.S. and stay at camps for a few weeks to help with manual labor and programs.

Twinlow continues its Idaho Mission Project camp, drawing youth groups from across the U.S. to spend half a day doing mission projects with Elder Help, Second Harvest and a Creek Restoration Project, and half the day in regular camp activities.

“We ask campers to leave electronics at home,” Kristen said.  “Staff may have them but not use them when they are with campers.

“We want campers to connect with nature, God and each other, not their screens,” she said.  “We show them they can experience fun, excitement and God’s love without Facebook or video games.  Real games are better.”

For five years, Twinlow has offered offsite vacation-Bible-school-style day camps in communities in the Inland Northwest, Western Washington and Montana.  This summer 11 churches are participating.

Kristen grew up going to Baptist camps in Wyoming.  She worked at the Pacific Northwest Annual United Methodist Conference’s Lazy F camp at Ellensburg before coming to Twinlow a year ago.

She brings five years of challenge course experience and has developed new elements for Twinlow’s course.

“I encourage experiential learning, challenging campers to push their limits,” she said.

For information, call 208-352-2671; Kristen@twinlowcamp.org or visit twinlowcamp.org.

 

Copyright © June 2015 - The Fig Tree