St Andrews Camp & Religious Center

Newsletters

The Stuff That Camp Life Is Made Of…

Our Board met in 2005 to look at the future of St. Andrew's Camp. Some of you may have received our survey regarding this. We thank those of you who responded. Your input was greatly appreciated.

As you know, an Orthodox camp provides many experiences and serves many roles that are uniquely valuable to the Church and to the upbringing of our children. It is an extension of our parishes, particularly the religious education programs. It provides a safe and loving environment for all that embodies the Orthodox Christian life that we hope to impart on our children. It is an experience of fun and fellowship. (Yes, Orthodox Christians can and do have fun!) It encourages the opportunity for daily worship in the form of church services, communal prayers at meals and bedtime, as well as private prayer. It is in this Christian framework that campers learn to solve problems, deal with relationship issues, and learn new skills through forgiveness, sharing, and thinking of others while using the community and themselves as their guidelines.

St. Andrew's Camp partners with parents and imparts values and beliefs about life and our purpose here on earth. It provides an opportunity for our youth to commune with God's greatest and simplest creation, that is, nature. Camp provides the ideal setting for discussing and practicing being good stewards of the earth - tending to and respecting all of God's creation.

Camp is an opportunity for our youth to engage with other Orthodox youth. It is here with other Orthodox children that they play sports as well as learn to interact personally with others. Our young people are temporarily removed from the technological toys that often make us forget the art of eye to eye conversation, especially at meals, and the courtesies that allow each person to be respected. It provides us with the environment to learn to be compassionate when someone is not the best player on our team, to forgive someone who thoughtlessly misspoke, to manage our disappointments and fears with constructive negotiation rather than with more hurt.

Value of Christian Summer Camp

In 2005, The Washington Times discussed the value of Christian summer camp: "Religious summer camp is a treasured tradition in many Christian and Jewish denominations, but in today's complex, fast-paced world, in which sports regularly compete with the Sabbath and children may shuttle from one divorced parent to another on alternate weekends, the camping experience promises benefits beyond the joys of good times and new friends. It offers youngsters a more intense faith experience than sporadic attendance at Sunday school, church or synagogue may provide. Also, denominations, many of which face serious clergy shortages, are finding that camp develops commitment and leadership skills that are spurring some young people to enter seminaries."

What can I do to help?

We need people with a variety of skills. We need carpenters and gardeners. We need librarians and others to help set up the library. We also need teachers and counselors to review and improve the camp and CIT programs in an effort to maintain its ongoing quality. We will review and study the curriculum, including lesson plans for nature study, camp crafts, religious education, as well as arts and crafts. Additionally, we will look at the swimming and boating programs and discuss ways to expand upon them.

Goals of St. Andrew's Camp

At the strategic planning session, the participants came to the following conclusions: Saint Andrew's Camp's most cherished principles are:

The love of God expressed through liturgical worship and personal prayer
Love of others through fun, fellowship, forgiveness, and service
Emphasizing the value of joy in the Orthodox Christian life and community
Becoming and being a model of Orthodox Christian nurturing, love, patience, acceptance, and belonging, both to and for, campers and staff

Saint Andrew's Camp is to be:

A place for children and teens to develop, or further develop, a relationship with God through faith, fellowship and worship
A place where children and teens learn Orthodox Christian skills for navigating life in a diverse, safe, healthy and thriving environment
An asset for the Church, that is, a year-round retreat center for parents, clergy, youth workers and teachers

What needs to be done to effectively fulfill our vision for the camp's future? The participants put forth the following long-range goals:

Improve facilities and equipment

Sports fields
Boating
Kitchen
Dorms
Guest houses

Become financially secure by way of

Grants, alumni, "Friends" and diocesan parish support
Accreditation through the American Camping Association

In Closing ...

In its 50 years of existence, St. Andrew's Camp has provided spiritual nourishment and nurturing for over 2,000 Orthodox Christians! The camp exists to provide a venue and environment in which children can be children (with all that it implies) as well as grow to realize their true vocation as children of God. The camp enables this development through religious instruction, liturgical worship, and fellowship with others.

Furthermore, this development is to be carried out by way of a daily and weekly routine. This rhythm mirrors the ideal Orthodox Christian life comprised of regular prayer, worship, fellowship and works of charity to those in need. As you know, children and adults alike are excited when visiting the camp! Love and creativity is present everywhere! Valuable lessons are learned in the overall context of an Orthodox Christian community within a safe, diverse, and healthy environment. Counselors are mentors to the campers and act as examples and witnesses of their own personal and spiritual goals for eternal salvation.

It is our heartfelt prayer that God continue to bless St. Andrew's Camp and its mission, and all of you, our alumni and friends! Please help us reach our goals!

St. Andrew's Camp Wish List:

New/used roll-in or floating dock
Kayaks (2)
Canoes (2)
Row Boats (2)
New/used commercial refrigerator
Stainless steel kitchen tables

Projects:

Exterior painting of all buildings
Replacement of all windows in the main dorm
Installation of low voltage tent lights and fans
Renovation of the stone cottage
Tree planting
Recessed lighting for the activities center

Newsletter Archives:

2003 - 2004 Winter
2004 Spring
2004 Fall
2005 - 2006 Winter


Home Announcements Newsletters Calendar Photos Stories Applications FAQs Supporters Contact Us 50th Anniversary	Newsletters The Stuff That Camp Life Is Made Of… Our Board met in 2005 to look at the future of St. Andrew's Camp. Some of you may have received our survey regarding this. We thank those of you who responded. Your input was greatly appreciated. As you know, an Orthodox camp provides many experiences and serves many roles that are uniquely valuable to the Church and to the upbringing of our children. It is an extension of our parishes, particularly the religious education programs. It provides a safe and loving environment for all that embodies the Orthodox Christian life that we hope to impart on our children. It is an experience of fun and fellowship. (Yes, Orthodox Christians can and do have fun!) It encourages the opportunity for daily worship in the form of church services, communal prayers at meals and bedtime, as well as private prayer. It is in this Christian framework that campers learn to solve problems, deal with relationship issues, and learn new skills through forgiveness, sharing, and thinking of others while using the community and themselves as their guidelines. St. Andrew's Camp partners with parents and imparts values and beliefs about life and our purpose here on earth. It provides an opportunity for our youth to commune with God's greatest and simplest creation, that is, nature. Camp provides the ideal setting for discussing and practicing being good stewards of the earth - tending to and respecting all of God's creation. Camp is an opportunity for our youth to engage with other Orthodox youth. It is here with other Orthodox children that they play sports as well as learn to interact personally with others. Our young people are temporarily removed from the technological toys that often make us forget the art of eye to eye conversation, especially at meals, and the courtesies that allow each person to be respected. It provides us with the environment to learn to be compassionate when someone is not the best player on our team, to forgive someone who thoughtlessly misspoke, to manage our disappointments and fears with constructive negotiation rather than with more hurt. Value of Christian Summer Camp In 2005, The Washington Times discussed the value of Christian summer camp: "Religious summer camp is a treasured tradition in many Christian and Jewish denominations, but in today's complex, fast-paced world, in which sports regularly compete with the Sabbath and children may shuttle from one divorced parent to another on alternate weekends, the camping experience promises benefits beyond the joys of good times and new friends. It offers youngsters a more intense faith experience than sporadic attendance at Sunday school, church or synagogue may provide. Also, denominations, many of which face serious clergy shortages, are finding that camp develops commitment and leadership skills that are spurring some young people to enter seminaries." What can I do to help? We need people with a variety of skills. We need carpenters and gardeners. We need librarians and others to help set up the library. We also need teachers and counselors to review and improve the camp and CIT programs in an effort to maintain its ongoing quality. We will review and study the curriculum, including lesson plans for nature study, camp crafts, religious education, as well as arts and crafts. Additionally, we will look at the swimming and boating programs and discuss ways to expand upon them. Goals of St. Andrew's Camp At the strategic planning session, the participants came to the following conclusions: Saint Andrew's Camp's most cherished principles are: The love of God expressed through liturgical worship and personal prayer Love of others through fun, fellowship, forgiveness, and service Emphasizing the value of joy in the Orthodox Christian life and community Becoming and being a model of Orthodox Christian nurturing, love, patience, acceptance, and belonging, both to and for, campers and staff Saint Andrew's Camp is to be: A place for children and teens to develop, or further develop, a relationship with God through faith, fellowship and worship A place where children and teens learn Orthodox Christian skills for navigating life in a diverse, safe, healthy and thriving environment An asset for the Church, that is, a year-round retreat center for parents, clergy, youth workers and teachers What needs to be done to effectively fulfill our vision for the camp's future? The participants put forth the following long-range goals: Improve facilities and equipment Sports fields Boating Kitchen Dorms Guest houses Become financially secure by way of Grants, alumni, "Friends" and diocesan parish support Accreditation through the American Camping Association In Closing ... In its 50 years of existence, St. Andrew's Camp has provided spiritual nourishment and nurturing for over 2,000 Orthodox Christians! The camp exists to provide a venue and environment in which children can be children (with all that it implies) as well as grow to realize their true vocation as children of God. The camp enables this development through religious instruction, liturgical worship, and fellowship with others. Furthermore, this development is to be carried out by way of a daily and weekly routine. This rhythm mirrors the ideal Orthodox Christian life comprised of regular prayer, worship, fellowship and works of charity to those in need. As you know, children and adults alike are excited when visiting the camp! Love and creativity is present everywhere! Valuable lessons are learned in the overall context of an Orthodox Christian community within a safe, diverse, and healthy environment. Counselors are mentors to the campers and act as examples and witnesses of their own personal and spiritual goals for eternal salvation. It is our heartfelt prayer that God continue to bless St. Andrew's Camp and its mission, and all of you, our alumni and friends! Please help us reach our goals! St. Andrew's Camp Wish List: New/used roll-in or floating dock Kayaks (2) Canoes (2) Row Boats (2) New/used commercial refrigerator Stainless steel kitchen tables Projects: Exterior painting of all buildings Replacement of all windows in the main dorm Installation of low voltage tent lights and fans Renovation of the stone cottage Tree planting Recessed lighting for the activities center Newsletter Archives: 2003 - 2004 Winter 2004 Spring 2004 Fall 2005 - 2006 Winter
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