The Task:
To create a regional ministry plan for outdoor ministry that takes into consideration the financial, geographic and organizational realities that we face.
Finances: We are currently losing $20,000 per year on outdoor ministries.
KBY has lost over $200,000 over 20 years.
WKDH has serious infrastructure problems.
Geography: We are a diverse state, spread out across many miles.
We have a "West Area" that does not always feel included.
Organization: We do not have a current staff person working on outdoor ministry.
We do not have a long-range ministry plan for outdoor ministry.
The Team:
Former campers, parents of campers, grandparents of campers are working together with people who have counseled, directed and keynoted camps at both Kum-ba-Ya and WaKon'Da-Ho.
Mike Gatton, Louisville
Debbie Enyart, Henderson
Lori Harper, Hopkinsville
Betty Jagoe, Owensboro
Mike Puckett, Louisville
Lee Yates, Lawrenceburg
*Tanya Tyler, Lexington - Moderator of the Christian Church in KY
*Fred Romanuk, Consultant from Vancouver, B.C.
Your Role:
Help the Kentucky Camp Futures Taskforce by sharing your comments on information posted on this site. Get us started by sharing a story that explains one of the following statements. Your stories are a gift!
*At camp, I see God.
*At camp, I learn how God sees me.
You can also help by asking questions. Your question may be the one no one has thought of yet. Your question may spark a creative solution. Your question is a gift!
The last thing you can do is pray. No one will make any decision in this process that is not done in prayer. We believe that God is at the center of all we do and that God's Spirit moves in and about us in ways we do not understand. Your prayers are a gift!
I hear what you are saying about the financial aspect of the camp but I was not aware that these camps were supposed to make money. It would be nice if they could break even. I consider this a mission field and our church has never made money on missions. What we have done is see live's changed for ever! I do believe that we need a long range plan, I also believe that there are many young people and adults that are still alive because of these church camps. What ever we do, I believe that we must keep these camps open. I also believe that we have to get the word out better in the future than we have in the past. I would hope and pray that we might be able to come up with a first class promo vedio that would help us sell the camp idea to our young people and adults alike. I do not believe that the camps are utilized as much as they could be and most of that is our fault. As the CCK we should encourage all of our churches to find ways to use our camps year round and help cover more of the cost of the camps. Everytime we use the camp we are helping with that financial burden, a little at a time.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Dan! As a whole our region doesn't do a great job of letting families know about camp, when it is, and all the other necessary details in order for families to decide if camp is right for their child(ren). As a former camper turned counselor, I can honestly say that camp made a huge impact on my life growing up and continues to do so, otherwise I would not be willing to volunteer my time each summer to ensure there are enough counselors, so that campers are not turned down. As a region we need our camps as it is a way to get our youth involved in church activities, even when it is not considered the "cool" thing to do. I will admit I am biased toward WKDH because that is where I went as a camper and now counsel at, but I think part of the charm of WKDH is because it has been around for so many years and there are so many camp stories about the place. I hate that some of the stories have stopped being told because the stories anchored the camp traditions.
ReplyDeleteJust thought I would share that a few the counselors from Chi Rho 1 were at WKDH this morning putting the tiles from this year's Chi Rho 1 camp on the 2 crosses the Chi Rho 1 camp put on the either side of camp. They look really cool!
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh - the intro states "Geography: We are a diverse state, spread out across many miles. We have a "West Area" that does not always feel included..." yet I don't see one name on the commmittee of a person who resides in the Jackson Purchase where Camp KBY is located. I guess that proves the point...
ReplyDeleteI first want to separate the camp facilities themselves from the events that take place at the camps (such as the summer programs) and want to address the facilities. I agree with Dan that the summer camp programs are a mission and as such don't necessarily have to "be profitable." But the facility usage needs to increase and I further believe that fees for those usages need to be established (if not already established), publicized, enforced and potentially increased. For instance, if a congregation(or any other organization) wants to have a meeting at either of the camps, there should be a rate schedule based on the various facilities to be used.
There are several ways to increase use of the camps: 1) open them to individual families that want to camp, 2) open them to other denominations that would like to conduct spiritual retreats, 3) extend the camping season by upgrading facilities 4) make it easy to reserve the facilities (such as a reservations web site)
Please remember, that a non-profit organization can be profitable so long as the profits are plowed back into the facilities.
I've never been a "camper" at KBY, but I've been to KBY several times for our church's "service on the lake" and each time come away with a deeper appreciation for God's glory in nature. It just doesn't get any more beautiful than KBY in the fall and it would be a shame to loose either of the camps due to financial considerations.
Joyce Johnston writes: At camp, I see God at work in many generations. Recently, I found a 1956 picture of my first KBY camping experience. It brought back memories of sleeping in a large tent, on wooden and canvas cots with a trench dug out by the boys to divert water (in case of rain) from flowing around our sleeping area. We ate under a canopy with a make-shift kitchen, we swam, played games, sang around a campfire "Kum Ba Ya my Lord" with such heart felt enthusiasm.
ReplyDeleteCamp came to be the place I could take the whole week to focus on learning and receiving God's word into my life and growing in my faith. My parents continued going to family camp long after I left home. My grandson attended the first music, drama and art camp, another would not miss the years he was able to go to sailing camp and even this year, two other grand sons attended sailing camp for the first time. I took my 6 year old granddaughter to the weekend camp and what fun to see her absorb the fellowship and faith growing experience around that same campfire.
I've watched children from our church turn into leaders through their camp experiences...such a safe place to ask those questions that maybe only surface when surrounded with an openness to God's word. What does it take to offer the next generation the same opportunity that I have loved passing down to my family. These memories bring generations closer to not only seeing their lives unfold and grow around the same campfire, but to discover how to "Be still and know that I am God".
The picture from 1956 can be found on our website.
ReplyDeletewestareadisciples.org
Do you spot someone that you know? Email me if you do. cckwaglo@bellsouth.net
Wonderful piece of history!
Thanks!
This year was the first year our family went to Ya'll Camp. We wanted our granddaughter to have an wonderful camp experience so that we could continue to come back year after year until she is old enough to come by herself and have her own amazing experience. Unfortunately, the group that was signed up for Ya'll camp this year was quite a bit older... only 3 children were under 5 years old. All of the other children were tweens and teens, so all of the activities were planned for older children (softball tournament, card games, etc). Perhaps more revenue could be brought in if we opened up another camp specifically for 2-5 year old children. That would fill a gap between Ya'll camp and 101. Just an idea. I would even be willing to be trained to be a counselor for this endeavor. I feel it is that important to open the door to our younger toddlers and keep the camps open. God speaks to our children when they are there... we must do everything we can to keep that outlet open. Carol Wieger Shepherdsville CC
ReplyDeleteI just moved from the Tennessee region this summer, to take a ministry in Frankfort. I have had great experiences with the DOC camp in that region, as has my family. I have heard great things about the KY camps from friends who have spent time in this region. But I must agree with someone who posted earlier, that it sure is hard to get any information about what is going on at the camps. I want to be involved in KY camps, and I want my congregation to be involved too, especially since they haven't been in a long while. But somebody has got to do better about alerting churches about what is going on.
ReplyDeleteCheck out the West Area website, (westareadisciples.org) under camp and youth. The reservation form for facility use groups is there. The form will be changed in the next week. We try to include in our West Area Coordinator (newsletter) the fact that the camp grounds are available for use.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe Camp Futures Team has made a visit to WaKon'Da-Ho and is headed to Kum-Ba-Ya this week. The process is still moving. Be looking for new information and more opportunities to share coming soon.
ReplyDeleteCamp dates are posted on the CCK website and listed in the Kentucky Christian. Registration forms can be obtained prior to the events from the regional website and/or by calling the regional office. Also your pastors receive information about the camps and youth events in ministers packets they receive and through electronic email generated from the region. If you haven't already, go to the CCK website, www.ccinky.net, and sign up to become a "Friend of CCK." You'll then be in the data base/address list to get information about camps and other regional activities.
ReplyDeleteInformation packets will go out to every congregation in late March with listening groups in May and June. Camp Futures Team will be coming to a Church near you.
ReplyDeleteMailing is going out to churches Monday AM.
ReplyDeleteAll of the information is on the website at www.ccinky.net.
Joining the conversation at listening conferences across the Region.
Pass on the information to those who need it.
Keep the process in your prayers.
Listening conferences start tonight.
ReplyDeleteCheck out the www.ccinky.net site for dates and locations.