The Value of Christian Camping
It’s for the kids!
In operation since the 1970’s Indian Creek Youth Camp has seen thousands of young people enter its gates and grow in the faith with Jesus Christ. While the camp is plenty of fun it is the emphasis on the Bible that makes ICYC special. During our week of camp the schedule called for about 4 hours of Bible study or worship each day. In addition, some campers participated in the Bible Bowl in which they answered difficult questions from our theme Bible book. This year, our book was Ruth. I suspect our campers know more about Ruth than many adults!
Over the years I have noticed that ICYC produces enduring friendships among our young people. They maintain cross-country connections via email and all forms of social media. Beautiful reunions occur every summer as campers make the trek back to camp for another great summer.
The camp director is Clark Sims, a young man from Tuscaloosa, Alabama who preaches for the Cottondale Church of Christ. The youth know him as a funny, spirited leader who talks about pink monkeys, gymnatoriums and SCORES! What they may not know is the months of work Clark invests in preparing for camp every year. Clark has already begin making notes about 2011 and giving thought to how the camping experience can be better. He is the magic behind our week at camp.
Indian Creek Youth Camp operates 6 weeks of group camping every summer. It also hosts RENEW which is a weekend event in the Spring. Various churches of Christ use the facility for retreats during the remainder of the year. The camp is fully winterized and can be used in all kinds of weather. Air conditioning in the summer makes the Walker County, Alabama temperatures just a little more bearable.
Ifv you ask any of the 60 or so adults who were with us if it was worth spending a week in the woods, I really believe everyone would say YES with a loud voice!
If any campers or staff would like to comment and add your reflections, please do. We would love to hear from you.