6. Staff
Camp is a place where growing Christians can influence others with teaching, listening, sharing, playing together, warning, or just showing love and acceptance. The role of the counselor will vary depending on the situation. He or she becomes at times everything from hero, judge, or policeman to teacher, friend, or object of a prank. But always he or she is a living demonstration of the truth of the gospel. The number one priority in planning for a camp is staff selection. Why? Because example is at the heart of discipleship. Campers can close their hearts to our proclamation, but not to the impact of sincere and radiant Christian example.
7. Nature
God's creation is often called the second Bible. God not only speaks through nature, but uses it to open our hearts. Take a walk through a forest glade, along the beach, or by a quiet stream. Sit by a lake or climb to a mountain peak. You will find that your heart becomes more receptive to God's truth. Thoughts of eternity, the meaning of life, or the greatness of God come flooding over us. Look out your window right now. What can you see of God's creation? You will probably find it already mentioned in the Bible. Think of how much Christ used nature in his teaching. Camping, more than any other method, brings us into close contact with nature. The tragedy is that so many camping programs fail to take full advantage of this resource.