In the spring of 2020, the bottom fell out of things for Heartland Camp. The COVID-19 virus had raised its ugly head and began to shut everything down. Camps all around the country began wrestling with the question of how to do camp in a socially distanced world. Many opted to not have a camp season at all.
The staff and the Board at Heartland were faced with the same hard decisions.
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During my second week as a Heartland staff member working on the media team, I was sitting in the lobby of Nunemaker lodge, starting on a few projects for the day and filing some pictures.
I paused for a moment to look up from my laptop and noticed our Executive Director, Dan Scheneman, cleaning the windows and doors at the entrance to the lodge. I was initially taken back by the sight of, arguably, the most ‘important’ person in our office doing such a menial task. Surely it was just a smudge, I thought, he will be done soon. But to my surprise, as I continued to work, he carefully cleaned each window and each door. When he finished, I couldn’t help but sit back and reflect on what I had seen.
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At Heartland, you know how strongly we believe in the benefits of small group camping. While it gives your campers the ability to make friendships with fellow campers, it also allows the intentional building of friendships with their counselors. As the leaders of their family groups, counselors know they play a critical role in your child’s camp experience, and they don’t take that lightly. Our counselors seek to intentionally get to know each of their campers, taking time to interact with them in the family group, but also getting to know them on an individual level. Camp is full of opportunities to be intentional with your children, but we see this especially in Bible study times, during meals, and during activities.
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For over sixty years, Heartland Camps has hosted thousands of campers who have come to experience God’s creation and grow their faith in its midst.
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As you might imagine, I talk about Heartland Camp a lot. I am a camp ministry professional, most people talk about their jobs, it makes sense. I end up answering a lot of questions, often focused on the things Heartland does or doesn’t have.
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Picking the perfect camp for your child to spend their summer can seem like an overwhelming decision. After all, there are a ton of options at many different price points. One thing that every parent should be looking for when choosing a camp, whether overnight camp or day camp, is ACA accreditation. ACA accreditation signals that the camp has gone above and beyond the basic state compliances and have developed a safe and comprehensive program.
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If you are considering sending your child to a Christian summer camp, ask the question, “Will it be worth the investment?”. The investment of money, time, and trust. These are valuable resources, summers are busier than ever, and your child is precious. Will it be worth it to trust a summer camp with your child?
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Camping has long been a traditional rite of passage that demonstrates a shift in increased responsibility and maturity. Today, both children and adults are spending less and less time outdoors. A lot of the blame is placed on the draw of technology. We'd rather play on our tablets than kick a ball around a field, but the loss of outdoor time is also a testament to our busy lives and constant need to be scheduled in order to build the skills we need for the future.
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"Camp is one of the few institutions where young people can experience and satisfy their need for physical activity, creative expression and true participation in a community environment. Most schools don't satisfy all these needs."
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It was 60 years ago that a seed of an idea grew into an American Camping Association accredited camp and retreat center. It began with a dream that turned into a reality thanks to the foresight, vision and dedication of the members of the Kansas City Presbytery, now Heartland Presbytery. A plot of 180 acres near Parkville, Missouri was purchased in 1956 for $26,250. A basement house, a pump house, a garage and a pig shed came with the property. By 1958, a camp opened on the little plot of woodland.
The seed had been planted, and soon it began to grow.
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This past summer at Heartland we learned about who we are as God’s children through our theme of
“I Am.."
Growing up I never owned a pet. I was always told Mom didn’t like cats and Dad didn’t like dogs so there were going to be no pets in our house. The reason we couldn’t have a rabbit or fish or hermit crab was never fully explained to me, but the point is, I didn’t grow up with a furry (or scaly) companion
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This is one of the main reasons I believe in camp. I believe in camp because it encourages kids to spend time in creation- with God. Campers have the opportunity to be disconnected from their daily lives while strengthening or discovering their relationships with God.
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The consistency of camp reflects God’s constant love. God’s great love for us is always there and there is nothing we can do receive more, or less, of it.
Read More![Heartland's Year In Review [Infographic]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5446c044e4b013c89681a9ae/1481823853125-68N2FWMLR4LYM9A514OT/5G1A9582.jpg)
It is so hard for us to put this ministry into an infographic. So much of what we do is relationship based, you can't measure the depth of friendships built or the impact of belong to a Body of Christ for a week. That being said we are incredibly grateful for what the Lord has done at Heartland this last year. We are humbled that God chooses to work through our ministry, check out our summer by the numbers in the infographic below:
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