Summer is an ideal time for youth to attend church camp

BENTON, Mo. — Parents who are searching for something fun and meaningful for their children to do this summer, may want to look into registering them for church camp.

The Charleston Baptist Association in Benton, Missouri, located on Highway 77, across from Unity Baptist Church, is holding its annual church camps this summer in July.

Heather DeWitt Couch of Sikeston, co-director of the overnight children’s camp, said she has been working with the church camp for several years. 

Couch is a member of Miner Baptist Church and is active in the children’s ministry there. Couch said she enjoyed attending the Charleston Baptist Association camp as a child and in her youth.  

“I loved going there,” Couch said. “It was the highlight of my childhood. I definitely grew in my relationship with God and made lots of friendships.”

The Charleston Baptist Association is hosting four camps this year. Day Camp begins on July 8 and cost $25 for children ages 4 to kindergarten. The overnight camp is scheduled for July 14-15 and costs $40 for students in first through third grade. The kids camp is set for July 17-21, for fourth through sixth grades and costs $80. Finally, youth camp for students in seventh through 12th grades is July 24-28 and costs $80.

Couch went on to say that each camp this year has its own theme and Bible verse to go with it.

For day camp, the theme is “Too Good To Not Believe,” and the theme Bible verse is “Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved,” Romans 10:9.

For overnight camp, the theme is “Glow With God,” and the theme Bible verse is “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day,” Proverbs 4:18.

Kids camp and youth camp have the same theme and Bible verse. Their camp theme is “Live It,” and the verse is  “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity,” 1 Timothy 4:12.

According to Couch, what the Charleston Baptist Association wanted was for the children to grow in their relationship with God and to also have a great time.

“The sole purpose of church camp is to teach children and youth about God,” Couch said. “We also want them to have a blast doing that as well as making memories with their friends that will last a lifetime.”

Couch said there will be many enjoyable activities for the children at a camp. There will be pool time, crafts and relaxation at camp. According to Couch, there will also be worship, cabin devotions, a snack shack, lots of eating, and, of course, staying up late with pals.

The camps teach kids and teens how to have a close relationship with God and what they can do every day to enhance that relationship, she said.

“Some kids that attend camp do not really know anything about God, and we are there to teach them the foundations of a Christian walk with God,” Couch said. “Our goal is for them to follow and serve God for the rest of their lives.”

Couch emphasized that in order for camp to be possible, numerous churches and those who attend must work together to put on church camp.

“Churches are the backbone of camp,” Couch said. “We all have gifts from God that he has given us, and it is important to use those gifts in service.”

Couch said volunteering at camp is one way for people to put their God-given talents to use. Volunteering makes church camp operate so much more smoothly when there are several people helping out and donating their time, she said.

Couch said she is most excited to meet the kids and witness how they grow in their relationship with God. 

“I love to see the kids worship and praise God,” Couch said. “I love to see them smiling and having a blast. I love to have a good time, and I want the kids to leave camp thinking that was one of the best times that they have had and that they can’t wait until next year.”

To know more about Charleston Baptist Association and its church camps, visit their Facebook page or website: https://charlestonbaptistassociation.org/