Basic Overview

The Central Region Camping Program operates camps in various locations across the Region, serving youth grades K-12. Camp Christy in Scott City and Cross Wind in Hesston run multiple camps for all ages, while Ottawa University is home to our Senior High Conference and Westminster Woods (near Fredonia) has been the site for a Southeast Area Primary Camp the last few years.

Individual camps are directed by trained volunteers from across the Region, who in turn recruit volunteer staff members for their particular camp. All camps operate under the supervision of the Director of Camping and the Camp & Assembly Council. The Camp Registrar serves as support staff out of the ABCCR office in Topeka.

Purpose, Values, & Mission

The purpose of the Central Region Camping Program is reaching & restoring through relationships. Our prayer is that the camping experience—and any other camping program—serves as a catalyst for healthy relationships, both with God and one another.

Our core values are camper-focused, insistent, consistent, persistent; connectedness. We want to make sure that our programs are focused not on the programming, but on the campers. We want to build a program that never gives up on our kids. And we want to connect people to one another as we strive to honor Christ and live the Christian life the way God intended—within a community of believers.

The mission of the camping program is to make a week of camp more than a week of camp by encouraging relationships that are Christ-centered and year-round. Our goal is that the camping experience “on-site” is not the end product, but rather a foundation for year-round relationships and connectedness. After all, it’s when the campers leave that they encounter struggles and need support the most.

Statistics

Last year 605 campers attended a Central Region Camp, while 211 volunteer staff members donated their time and talents to minister to youth.

Of those 605 campers:

• 43 accepted Christ for the first time;
• 115 rededicated their lives to Christ;
• 17 acknowledged a possible call to full-time ministry;
• 49 made other personal, spiritual decisions.

Scholarship Program

The Camping Scholarship Program is a vital component to our camping ministry. Last year, the program gave out $7,600 in scholarships to help 80 campers attend camp.

The scholarship money is provided by:

• The AOK Crafters, who sell homemade items at various AB events and donate the profits;
• The Cross-Roads Area, which provides funding to help cover CR Area kids who need assistance;
• Scholarships from ABCCR Camp Scholarship Fund.