8 Reasons to Camp
by Bob McKemey
Director, Okutama Bible Chalet, Japan
A pastor once told me that his young people experience more spiritual growth in a few days at camp than in a whole year of attendance at Sunday School. Others, pastors and missionaries alike, have made similar comments in my hearing. Perhaps the pastor's remark is an overstatement. And in no way am I speaking against the tremendous value of the Sunday School. But who would question the fact that as a tool for evangelism and discipleship few methods, if any, rival the camping ministry for effectiveness.
Why is that? What is it about camp that brings about such profound and often quick results?
From my own experience and reading, and in discussions with others I've been able to identify eight reasons. This is not to say other methods are invalid or should be abandoned in favor of camping. We need to take advantage of all the methods God has made available to us. I also want to state clearly at the outset that I believe Christian camping, like other parachurch ministries, exists for the church and is valid only to the extent that it contributes to the growth of the churches both numerically and spiritually.