The Midwest has literally hundreds of exceptional Christian Camps.  In Ohio, alone, there are 43 Christian Camp and Conference Association member camps.  Many have served generations of families in healthy, fun, and deeply personal ways.

There are a variety of programs, formats, and types of groups that Christian Camps serve.  There are Family Camps, Day Camps, Kids Camps, Group Camps, and Resident Camps.  There are also camps specifically for athletes, those with disabilities, single parents, musicians, and other groups. 

And Christian Camps will offer programs centered around activities, too.  Some of these include programs in Art, Sports, Whitewater Rafting, Music, Drama, and Writing.  These are especially good, because enthusiasts can spend a week receiving instruction and practicing their skills, and they can also meet others who share the same passion and interests.

Ohio also has some excellent Outdoor Education programs with eight CCCA member camps offering these kinds of experiences.  Christian Camp Outdoor Education curriculum options include Animal Studies, Exploratory Science, Plant and Earth Studies, Wilderness Survival Training, and other specialized training.  These programs use college prepared staff members with many being certified in the areas they teach.

Most Christian camps have their own websites which makes searching program options and registration really easy.  Christian camp websites will include events calendars, program descriptions, age or other restrictions or groupings, the camp’s philosophy and faith statement, and costs and special instructions for campers.  Lodge and cabin rentals, group rates, holiday weekends or discounts, and other specials can also be found on camp websites, so if you want to plan your own group retreat or special get-away weekend, Christian camps are the way to go.

What makes Christian Camps unique, and very special, is their commitment to providing youth, adults, families and groups opportunities to unplug from the distractions of life, re-focus on what really matters, relax, grow from God’s Word, and build great relationships.  And these special experiences all take place in beautiful settings where campers can revel in God’s amazing creation.

So, as Spring approaches, make plans with friends, or your Church, or with your family to spend a really special week at a Christian Camp.  Do a few web searches around the type of program you are looking for, the denomination you may prefer, or the location you hope to visit.  You can also visit the directory of Ohio Christian Camps, which allows the user to search for camps in a variety of ways.

If you are new to planning and creating retreats, the following five steps should help you.  These steps will move you through a deliberate process, and they can prevent you from making short-sighted decisions and help you to get out of the box and think creatively.

Sometimes traditions are helpful for the right reasons.  Other times, they are not.  Many churches and other community organizations have been known to go to the same camp center year after year after year simply because “that’s the way we’ve always done it.”  Again, sometimes this is a good decision if the camp center serves you in unique ways or offers scheduling preference or discounts because of your loyal patronage.  Other times, going to the same place again and again is the choice simply because it is easy and doesn’t require much effort.  This is when tradition can get in the way of providing the most enriching and memorable experience possible.

1. Be creative, involve others, and develop a fresh experience.
Before you make any contact with possible camp centers, do a little more work up front that will save you a lot of effort later and make your retreat unique. 

Find out what needs, interests, or challenges your group members are facing right now.  Do your planning with a creative team, and not alone.  Bring in new members to your retreat planning team every year, and then have a live, in person, brainstorming session where every idea is allowed and considered and you benefit from the excitement and synergy that only team work can bring. 

This is far better than trying to resurrect an old theme from years ago just because you have pre-made notes or ideas, or picking a currently popular book and arbitrarily assigning a few people to speak from a chapter.  Your participants always pick up on the genuine enthusiasm and involvement of leaders.  What has been impactful or has spoken to the lives of your team members?  What gets you excited or has you passionately interested lately?  Usually what has been speaking to the lives of your own team members will also speak to others.

2. Be very clear on your time requirements, your schedule, your accommodation and equipment needs, and your budget.
Knowing exactly what you want to occur, and when, during your retreat really helps you select the best camp center for you, and it also helps the staff of the camp center get ready to serve you.  Being clear on how many will attend, special dietary or sleeping arrangements, the specific types of media equipment you will need, and when your presentation sessions will take place are very important.  There’s a good chance the camp center will be hosting more than one group, so knowing exactly when you will need meeting rooms, recreation facilities, times of quiet and meals makes everything flow nicely.

If you are clear with your needs, the camp center staff can also be clear on total costs, which will help you set your budget.  Make sure you have final arrangements communicated in writing, and try to negotiate and plan with the same camp center staff member.  This minimizes the chances of miscommunication or last minute changes.
3. Having prepared well allows you to now select the best camp center.
Now that you have put good effort into creating your event, and you are very clear on all that you require, looking at various camp center options will be easier and more effective.  Camps will now be able to let you know when and how they can accommodate you, and before you even contact a camp center, you can now narrow your options by first visiting camp center websites.  Since you know what you need and when you need it, making your selection should go much more smoothly.

For many, Christian youth camps have played a very special part in their lives.  Some of the best memories of growing up are made at summer camp, and many Christian young people have drawn closer to God because a camp counselor or youth pastor spoke life giving words and offered genuine friendship. 

If you have ever worked with young people, you know the power of getting them away from the stress of school and busyness.  It’s always amazing to watch how a young person can change within a week, if they unplug, and let their hearts connect with God.

One way to find the right Christian youth camp is to ask friends and families for their recommendations and their own experiences.  People who have great memories of summer camp love to tell their stories and even send their own children to the same camp they loved as a kid.  Ask them why they loved it and find out why their kids loved it, too.  Though Christian youth camp websites and brochures are really helpful, getting first hand recommendations from the people you trust says a lot.

Another good way to choose the right youth camp is to check with your own church or churches in your community to find out what youth retreats they hold during the year.  Many churches put on really fun and enriching retreats for children and teens, and since they are local, they usually use a youth camp that’s not too far away or provide the transportation needed to get the campers there.   Even the bus ride to camp can be quite an adventure!

Finally, knowing that a Christian youth camp is accredited with a reputable association tells you they are committed to excellence by upholding standards above state licensing.  Search online for Christian camping associations to find Christian youth camps in your area and to find out if the camp you are considering is affiliated.

There are a wide variety of camps around the country, but choosing a youth Christian camp provides some unique benefits for your children.  The following are three common characteristics to a youth Christian camp that you may want to consider as you work to find the best camp for your children.  Taking the time to research and keeping the following characteristics in mind will help you make a great choice of camps.
1. A Youth Christian Camp Instills Great Values in Cool Ways
Research from the fields of education and psychology has consistently shown that the core values of young people, and consequently their own worldview, are formed in their adolescent years.  Kids may not even know why they believe what they believe, but they believe it, nonetheless! 
In other words, values and beliefs are caught, and not necessarily taught.  A well run youth Christian camp will have staff members that not only teach great lessons about God and about life, they will model these lessons in the ways they care for kids and serve them.  Many people will tell you that the love and care of youth Christian camp counselors made a profound difference in their lives growing up.
2. A Youth Christian Camp Helps Kids Own their Faith
A lot of church programs are run on the same model school classes are taught.  Kids hear teachings and new information, there may be some short discussion, and then they are on their way to other things.
But, a well run youth Christian camp allows many opportunities for kids to get some alone time with God.  These times are typically brief enough to be age appropriate, but the key is to allow young people to “own” their faith by actually practicing some of the basic spiritual disciplines and not simply being a student in a Sunday school classroom.
3. A Youth Christian Camp Allows Young People to Create Great Relationships
When young people interact with new friends who share their beliefs, talk openly about them, and live a life that sincerely involves faith, their own faith can grow greatly.  One common meaning of the word discipleship that is found in the scriptures is to “rub off on something.” 
Discipleship, in the Bible, doesn’t mean getting lots of sermons or hearing Bible lessons, it literally means that a person can rub off on others as they seek to disciple them.  In other words, those who were discipled actually became like the one who discipled them. 
When young people are mentored by camp staff members or by other peers who take them under their wing, amazing things can happen. 
So, as you research the wide range of options for summer camp, consider the unique benefits that a youth Christian camp can offer to your children.

As a parent, are you searching for an experience that is far more spiritually rich than a traditional summer camp?  Are you searching for a setting that is safe, fun, wholesome and one that will also help them grow in their walk with God?  Then consider sending your children to a Christian Summer Camp.  Attending a Christian Summer camp could end up being a life-changing experience for  your kids.

Kids are constantly hearing messages from everyone around them about who they should be or need to be, and sadly, in many cases, these messages (and the messengers)  are anything but positive.  Wouldn’t it be awesome if your kids could get away to a Christian Summer Camp  to find out how God feels about them?  What He thinks about them?

And getting your kids away for a week or two from all the pressure most kids are under will do wonders.  You might have a hard time recognizing them when they get home! And, of course, having the opportunity to hear the great news of God’s amazing love for us at a really fun Christian summer camp is good for everybody.

Spending time at a Christian summer camp can be an absolute blast.  Hiking, singing, canoeing, sailing, and goofing off with fellow campers are all part of the great activities your kids will remember for a lifetime.   Many kids end up treasuring the friendships they make with other kids for a lifetime!  And most camp counseling staff are college age, and kids really look up to them and can be influenced in some very special ways.

What would it feel like if your kids said their week at a Christian summer camp was one of the best weeks of their lives?  What if they came home and told you that the week actually changed their life?  For a lot of Christian parents, it probably wouldn’t get much better than that.

So, as you are considering your plans for the summer, find a Christian summer camp that you feel will fit your children well.  Most can be found close to home and most are quite affordable.  You will be glad you did.

Christian summer camps are one of the most popular and common types of camps in the United States, but many don’t realize the wide variety of Christian summer camps that are available to young people.  Knowing the different kinds of Christian summer camps is a great place to start as you work to find the very best option for your kids.
1. Traditional Christian Summer Camps
With camps, “traditional” can mean that the camp and its recreational offerings are what most consider a typical summer camp experience.  Water recreation, sports, eating camp food, crafts, archery, horseback riding and other activities are the focus of each day, but this traditional camp is offered by staff who are Christians and leadership and staff hope to model and pass on Christian values in everything they do.
Another meaning of a traditional camp is that the camping experience uses a Bible Camp model.  Bible Camps emphasize Bible teachings, helping young people know God’s word, memorizing scripture, and practicing spiritual discipleship.  There are still times for recreation, but a religious emphasis is greater in these camps.  Times of small group Bible study or discussion and individual quiet times are also common activities with Bible Camps.
2. Church Camp Christian Summer Camps
Many people will talk about all the memories they have from going to “Church Camp” while they were growing up.  Church Camp usually means that kids will attend Christian summer camps with their own church youth group, and many times the whole camp is comprised of youth from one church or from one church denomination.  One of the unique advantages to these kinds of Christian summer camps is that kids can attend camp with friends from their own home town and home church.  Getting away for a week like this allows these friendships to grow and deepen, and the neat part is that these friendships don’t end after camp.
Another advantage of Church Camps is that youth group leaders, church leadership, and possibly parents come along to staff the camp, so the camping experience can be more tailored than other Christian summer camps.
3. Specialized Christian Summer Camps
Specialized camps can have some great and unique strengths.  Camps that are designed to serve disabled youth will have great accommodations, specially trained staff, and programs designed to meet the needs of these kids.  Other camps also welcome disabled youth, but they may not be equipped as well as specialized camps. 
There are specialized camps that focus on drama, or the arts, or sports, or horses, or outdoor adventure opportunities, and these specialized Christian summer camps are located all over the country.  Your kids could experience anything from the mountains of Colorado or Montana, to the deserts of Utah, to an amazing camp by the sea, depending on their needs, what they love to do, how adventurous they are, and how far from home they are comfortable being.  You should also make sure you know what the total costs for specialized camps are, including fees for elective activities.

Many parents have enjoyed years of spending summers at a summer Christian camp, and now they want that same experience, and all the great memories that went with it, for their children.  These parents remember making important decisions about their lives with God and making great relationships at a summer Christian camp, so they realize the importance of formative spiritual experiences for young people.

As parents research their options they may hear of different camps, but personally speaking with people who know the current reputation of a summer Christian camp is one great way to find out if a camp is right for your kids.  Even if you may have attended a particular summer Christian camp years ago, things can change over time, including leadership, program philosophy, values and the quality of hired staff.

 So, it’s really helpful to find individuals or organizations that use the camp you are researching.  This is also helpful because getting feedback from people who have actually attended the summer Christian camp will provide unbiased opinions and will provide personal details camp staff may not share.

It’s fine to begin with summer Christian camp websites to view pictures and gather other facts and information, but if you have friends or family members, or can find others in your community, who have recently attended events at the camp recently, the feedback they can give you will be really helpful.

You can also contact the camp and ask for references and organizations that have used their facilities.  Knowing the church association the summer Christian camp may be a part of is also good.  This will help you understand the religious emphasis the camp has, and contacting the association may also let you know how they feel about this particular camp.

Knowing the reputation that a summer Christian camp has with local churches, individuals who have attended the camp recently, local community members, and the association they are a part of is one essential piece of information that will really help you as you work to make the best decision on which camp will best fit your child’s needs.

Knowing your children may very well have a life-changing week with God at summer camp is a wonderful reason to take the time and research what options are available to you and find out as much as you can about the reputations of these camps.

If you attended an Ohio Christian camp as a young person and loved the experiences you had, chances are you want the same for your own kids.  And , if you live with or work with young people now, you know the pressure they are under as they try to live with a really busy schedule. 

A number of researchers have noted that the lives of young people are filled with more demands and scheduled events than has ever been seen before.  There is now so little discretionary “down time” that kids don’t have many opportunities to relax, reflect on their lives, and just unplug for a while.

The stories told over the years about how camp counselors have offered friendship and spoken into the lives of kids are many.  We all know that kids look up to others, and the quality of camp counselors hired by an Ohio Christian camp are the kind of people you want your kids to look up to.  And many kids make life-long friendships when they attend an Ohio Christian camp that are the kinds of friendships every parents hope their kids have.

And one of the best parts of attending an Ohio Christian camp are the opportunities these camps offer to connect with God.  Fun and sincere worship, great food, times to be alone with God, talking openly about life and faith in small groups, and having some dynamic speakers who teach in ways that are relevant can all be part of the Ohio Christian camp experience.

As you begin to look into your options, take into account the reputation, total cost, location, faith traditions, recreational options, programs and safety measures of each camp you research.  These are great areas to look into, and talking with friends or other individuals you know that have actually attended a particular Ohio Christian camp can also be really helpful, because they will provide current, unbiased, first-hand feedback to you.

As you consider the wide variety of camping options in Ohio, take the time to research all that an Ohio Christian camp has to offer.  You and your kids will be glad you did!

Ohio Christian summer camps are an excellent choice for body, mind, and spirit.  If you think of all those in the scriptures who walked with God, most experienced their most powerful encounters with God in wilderness.  Mountains, deserts, forests, and water are the backdrop of the great stories from Abraham right through to Jesus and his disciples.

Ohio Christian summer camps offer experiences for all ages, especially for children and young people, and most of them feature peaceful, beautiful lakes, times of solitude and soul-refreshing quiet times.  And there’s a ton of fun to enjoy too, with fishing, hiking, volleyball, canoeing, rock-wall climbing, and indoor gyms.

Do you remember your years of summers spent at Ohio Christian summer camps?  How about all that camp food in the mess hall or roasting hotdogs and marshmallows over a campfire?  Many will tell you that their fondest and most formative summers were spent at Christian camps, and they now treasure the summers when their own children will experience the same.

The great thing about Ohio Christian summer camps is that lodging, dining and all the fun and recreation are included in the cost.  And most camps will feature excellent speakers that are relevant and can speak into the lives of youth in powerful ways.

Ohio Christian summer camps bring a special depth that regular vacations may not offer, and in a day and age of hectic schedules, having your children retreat for a week or two to nurture their hearts and focus on God is priceless.  Most who have a strong and vibrant faith will tell you that the most important years for their spiritual growth were when they were young.

A great way to learn more about Ohio Christian summer camps is to contact local churches, search the internet, or ask friends and family about the camps they love to go to or send their kids to.  Young people spend so much of their year in school and sporting events that are healthy and productive yet lack any spiritual focus.  There may be no better way to help foster authentic spiritual growth than finding one of the Ohio Christian summer camps that is right for your children.

There are many Christian youth camps, and choosing the right summer camp for your children is important to every parent.  There are many different types of Christian youth camps that vary in such things as mission, focus, size and values.

Below are three areas to consider as you begin your research to choose the one of the Christian youth camps that is right for your child.

Things to Consider

1. What Does Your Child Enjoy?

There’s probably no one who knows your child better than you do, so ask yourself (and your child) the following questions. 
- What do they love?  Are they a lover of the outdoors?  Do they love sports?  Do they love music or the arts?
- Would they enjoy residential Christian youth camps where they stay for a week and sleep in a cabin? 
- Would they do better with a day camp where they come home each night? 
- How far from home do you feel they would be comfortable being? 
- How far from home would YOU be comfortable with them being?

2. What is the Spiritual Tradition/Church Affiliation/Approach of the Camp?

If your Christian faith is an important factor for your child’s camping experience, learn about the spiritual and faith traditions of the Christian youth camps you research.  Also, it is great to know how each camp approaches spiritual teaching and formation with their campers.
- Are their times of teaching or fun speakers that will present to campers? 
- Does the camp build in times where the campers get together for songs and worship? 
- Do any of the Christian youth camps schedule times for young people to get alone with God or together in a small group?

Related to the questions above, you should also find out what church association or religious tradition the Christian youth camps are affiliated with or has been influenced by.  This is a very important question.  If you don’t know a lot about the camp or its religious beliefs, ask lots of questions about any church association they may have, the camp’s mission, and the core beliefs that hold to and hope to share with their campers.  You can also get online and research the tradition or church tradition by doing online searches.

3. What Are the Costs and Fees of the Camp?

Most Christian youth camps are non-profit organizations, and they try to keep costs.  It’s important to find out what the total costs for camp are, and what is included in these costs.  You should also find out if there are any other fees that may be charged for crafts or other activities. 

If you are part of a local church or other religious organization and finances are tough, find out if there are scholarships or financial assistance available.  You can also ask the Christian youth camps you are researching if they have reduced cost programs or scholarships for their campers.

For many people, attending Christian youth camps have been the most powerful, enjoyable, and formative experiences of their lives.  Take the time to do your research, ask good questions, and make sure you involve your child in your decisions.  You and your child will both be very glad you did.