Friends,
We’re talking about the WAY (Worldview & Apologetics Youth) Camp…
If you have youth between the ages of 15 and 19, please read on – you’ll be glad you did…
We want to introduce you to ChristianGovernance’s Christian youth camp – a Biblical worldview, apologetics and leadership camp. We call it WAY Camp because of the acronym noted above and because early Christians, as we learn in Acts, were known as people of The Way.
We are excited and thank God for the way that the camp is coming together.
The location is Temple Pastures, a retreat centre 20 minutes north-east of Ottawa in Gatineau. The week we’ve reserved is Mon.-Fri., July 18-22. The address for Temple Pastures is 286 Fogarty Road, Gatineau, QC J8R 3L4.
Some of the topics for the 24 sessions during this week-long camp are:
* Origins and science
* Defending the Christian faith
* Islam
* Leadership
* “Babylon University”
* Life Purpose Planning
* Practical ethics
* “I Want You to Swear”
Our scheduled guest speakers for the camp are:
* Calvin Smith of Creation Ministries International
* Brian Brodie, dairy farmer and long-time ruling elder at the Hudson-St. Lazare Reformed Presbyterian (RP) church
* Steve Zink, assistant pastor at the Ottawa RP church
* Brian Murray, the director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario, and an associate pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church
* Aaron Goerner, pastor of Christ Church RP congregation in New York state
* We are still searching for a leader to take the youth into Ottawa on Thursday afternoon for a hands-on street evangelism experience
* There will also be lots of time for fun and fellowship, including some organized physical activity
This is going to be an intense and exciting week-long experience for youth who want an intensive week of training in doctrine and the Christian faith; in how to be a reasonable Christian; and how to effectively share and defend their faith.
The cost per camper will be $450. We know that this is a steep price for many families, so we will be fundraising and aggressively pursuing sponsorships and donations to help subsidize the camp fee for those who aren’t able to pay the full $450.
The reality is that it’s hard to find a better investment for young people these days than solid Biblical worldview and apologetics teaching. Upwards of 80% of young adults are leaving the church when they move out of home and into university or the workforce. The best research indicates that much of the reason for this is that they aren’t intellectually grounded in their faith, so they flounder in the face of challenges from their peers and lose confidence in their faith. I know we all think it won’t happen to our children – but even if it doesn’t, the solid grounding from apologetics and training in the distinctive Biblical approach to every area of life is a benefit to all of our youth.
Early indications are that we might have some New York youth attending as well, and space is limited. We intend to promote the camp widely throughout the Christian community in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario/Western Quebec, so we wanted to give you an early heads up about the camp. You still have some time to think about it, and we will be sending out additional reminder notices. But we know that when it comes to summer schedules and the cost involved, many of you would appreciate as much time as possible for planning the attendance of your young people at the camp. The Early Bird price for the camp is $415 until June 1st, 2011. You can get an additional $15 off the camp fee and pay only $400 if we receive the camper’s registration form by January 31st, 2011 with at least 50% of the registration fee.
The camp capacity is 40 young people, so let us know as early as possible of your interest in sending your children.
Your child will be coming home with more than just the important material that they soak into their minds during their week at camp. They will also return from camp with a handbook full of resources and notes from the different sessions, as well as some books that relate to the topics discussed. They will also return with great memories and new friends and stronger friendships with Christian peers who are close enough to keep in touch with long after camp is over.
If you want to send your son or daughter to camp, but know that you will need help with the registration fee, please talk to us as soon as possible so that we are aware of your interest and your need. The sooner we can link donated funds to particular needs, the better.
Remember the date: Mon.-Fri., July 18-22. You can check out the venue at Temple Pastures’ website here. You can visit our almost completed WAY Camp website here. The schedule and registration forms still need to be posted, along with a bit more information, but most of what you need to know is already there.
We look forward to speaking with each of you and your teens who may be interested in this exciting opportunity to strengthen their faith, to challenge them towards leadership and to energize them about serving God in the ways He has planned for them in the years ahead.
Yours in Kingdom-building service,
Tim and Lynette Bloedow
ChristianGovernance and WAY Camp