My wife, Donna, and I have been taking youth and children to Summer Camps since around 1994.  Mostly we have used the Lifeway Fuge Camps.  We have considered others, even attended others, but always come back to Fuge.  Whether it is Centrifuge, Missionfuge, or CentriKid we have always found them to be well staffed and doctrinally sound.  The all inclusive price is appealing as well.  We don’t have to reserve hotel rooms or plan meals or entertainment.

Every once in a while I am questioned about the value of such camps, whether or not the return is worth the cost, time, and effort.  I always respond with a resounding yes.  These summer camps are worth every penny, every hour spent raising funds, and they are worth the energy spent by the adults that invest in the lives of the students.  Yes, it is worth it and so much more.  To see a child or a teenager come out of their comfort zone and encounter Christ through worship, games, recreation, missions, etc. is worth it all.  To see a child grow in confidence as they try new things and make new friends is worth it all.  To see a student pray repenting of their sin and calling on Jesus to save them is worth it all.  I guess there will always be those that just don’t see the need or the importance of camps like these, but they are usually the ones who have never been to a camp like these.

One more thing, my wife was born again at a Summer camp when she was a teenager.  So there you go, I believe camp is worth the cost, because I believe students and children are worth our time, energy, and investment.  We can never go wrong seeking to make  a differene in young lives.

While writing this post, I received word confirming the dates for CentriKid 2012.  Now both youth and children camps are on the calendar.