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Covenant Camps Gear Up for Kickoff of Season

CHICAGO, IL (June 13, 2005) - Staff at Evangelical Covenant Church camps have been constructing, reconstructing, remodeling, cleaning and training in preparation for the new camping season.

At local churches, funds have been raised through auctioning the services of teens for everything from yard work to household chores, selling all kinds of foodstuffs, performing community service projects, and engaging in sporting events.

Finally, the summer season kicks into gear this weekend at the 22 Evangelical Covenant Church camps in the United States and Canada. Bruce Lawson, director of camping and planning ministries, says he expects the camps to be as busy this summer as last year. In 2004, more than 23,000 campers from Covenant churches participated, as did 19,000 campers from outside groups that rented Covenant facilities. They painted (accompanying photo), hiked, climbed, canoed, sang, told stories, made crafts, and even acted silly once or twice. That wasn't all, however.

A survey conducted of Covenant campers in 2004 showed that the camps are making a spiritual impact on many of the attendees. According to Lawson, one in 12 campers made a first-time commitment to Christ, four others renewed their commitments, and more than half already were Christians and sought to grow deeper in their faith.

Making sure that the camps operate smoothly is a major logistical undertaking. Lawson cites the number of meals served as an example – 956,800. "To gain perspective on this number, envision the meals being served on trays that are 24 inches wide and line those trays to the end. The resulting row of trays would stretch 362.5 miles," Lawson says.

To serve those meals as well as serve in many capacities at the camps, more than 900 young adults work as summer staff and more than 320 volunteers contribute their services each week, Lawson says. He adds that during the winter months, camps employ 132 full-time and 158 part-time staff.

The smallest camp has a budget of $21,500, while the largest has a budget of nearly $3.5 million, Lawson says. Camper fees vary greatly, ranging from $30 to $60 a day. Last year, the fees generated $15.3 million in income to nearly pay for the operating expenses of $15.8 million, Lawson says. The camps also receive $2.4 million in gift income, which often is used for buildings and grounds improvement, as well as scholarships.

Covenant campers also have contributed funds to support camping experiences around the world, Lawson says. In the last 10 years, campers have sent $586,792 in support - during 2004, campers raised $65,821. The mission project this year will send children who have affected by the AIDS crisis in South Africa to camp.

(Editor's note: to read an earlier story on camping improvements, please see Camping.

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