Summer Camp

2022 Summer Camp: What’s In A Name?

The 2022 summer camp season at Camp Christian in Gordon, GA, touched the lives of over 200 campers, conferees, counselors, directors, volunteers, and YADA participants. Beginning with CYF Conference the week of June 13, followed by Chi Rho Camp, Genesis Camp, Oasis Camp, Chrysalis Camp, and Junior Camp, children through teens explored the theme “What’s In a Name?” and were reminded how God knows us and calls us by name and into relationship. The photos from this year’s camps give a glimpse of the stories, friendships, and memories that are made every year at Camp Christian.

CYF Conference June 13-18

The first camp of the summer was CYF Conference from June 13-18, a week where temperatures at times exceeded 100 degrees. But despite the heat, the group stayed hydrated and even enjoyed some A/C at times. The directors, counselors, and conferees were quite phenomenal, as was keynoter Katie Griffis, former camper and great-granddaughter of Charles and Lucie McAfee, who donated property for Camp Christian back in 1960. This group of young people will continue to make us proud. They all have many lifelong friends and are always sad to leave on Saturday.

"What's In a Name?" guided worship and gatherings for CYF Conference.

And 80s night was part of the fun for CYF Conference

Slip & slide fun helped beat the 100-degree heat at CYF Conference

A senior banquet and worship concluded CYF Conference

Chi Rho Camp June 20-24

Chi Rho Campers came the week of June 20-24, another week of hot temperatures. But some extra A/C time and lots of water kept things cool. Campers enjoyed slip and slide, shaving cream, skit night, and lots of singing, keynotes, and interest groups. It is great to see the friendships being made as campers among campers who come back year after year.

Genesis Camp June 24-26

Genesis Campers were kindergarten graduates who came with a parent and slept in Woodland Lodge. They did lots of crafts, stacked solo cups, listened to Bible stories, swam in the pool, listened to evening bedtime stories, and ended with singing “Lay Down My Sweet Brother.” A small, but sweet camp to introduce young campers to Camp Christian.

Who knew Solo cups could be so much fun for Genesis campers?

Oasis Day Camp June 28-30

Oasis Day Camp, a camp experience for Wilkerson County, returned to Camp Christian after a two-year absence. Although small, the children had lots of fun. They enjoyed the pool and slip & slide, had lots of water games, crafts, singing, and Bible stories. They also enjoyed board games when it rained. The campers were very good at retelling the Bible stories and the CIT’s engaged with the campers to keep them interested. They loved finding out about the meaning of their names and how God knew them before they were born. It was a blessed time for all.

Oasis campers learned about their names and how God knows them

Chrysalis Camp July 18-20

Chrysalis Campers came on July 18 and stayed in the A/C of Woodland Lodge. The 1st and 2nd graders had lots of fun stacking solo cups, rotating through activities (paddle boats, recreation, Bible stories with Ms. Elizabeth, and lots of crafts in Peachtree Lodge). When their parents picked them up on Wednesday, many had begun to make lifelong friends.

Woodland Lodge was a cool respite for campers

Junior Camp July 18-22

Junior Campers also came on July 18 and stayed till Friday morning, July 22 in their camp, which shared some activities with Chrysalis Camp during the first part of the week. Junior campers stayed in the rustic cabins, cooled by lots of fans. It was hot, but not as hot as it had been in June. Campers sang, played games, had a small group Olympics, and enjoyed the slip & slide, water balloons, the pool, basketball court, listening to Bible stories, and small group time. Friendships began and flourished.

Crafts, crafts, and more crafts -- all a part of camp

Games and small groups formed friendships at Junior Camp

Lavery Hall offered a cool place for games

Thank You Volunteers

From Camping Program Co-Director, Marilyn Parks: “The region is fortunate to have so many talented and spirit-filled volunteers. Thank you to our tremendous directors: CYF – Libby Ballew and Natalie Becker; Chi Rho – Tony Chimera and Stephen Westbrook; Oasis – Terressa Anderson and Jessica Hebenstreit; Chrysalis – Crystal Pirkle and Meredith Westbrook; and Junior – Bryant and Katie Gibson. And Pam Van Dusen and I enjoy directing Genesis and are thankful for the opportunity. Many of the directors grew up going to camp at “The Place to Be in The Heart of Georgia,” and others have found a place in their hearts for this sanctuary in the woods. Many of the counselors also either went to camp here or grew up in a DOC Camp elsewhere. There are many friendships within this special group of people that have developed over the years. We are so blessed.”
A rainbow over Lavery Hall during the last week seemed a fitting end to a spirit-filled summer camp season at Camp Christian.

2023 Summer Camp Registration/ Application (check back in spring 2023)

COVID-19 Update for Summer Camp

Summer camp is important to the youth and children of our region as well the adults who volunteer. We are planning for in-person camps for 2022 and will continue to monitor the CDC guidelines and update all attendees as needed. We hope that many youth and children attend this summer, but we will not exceed capacity for a camp. Meal service will be adapted, sanitation will be emphasized, and other protocols will be in place to maintain a safe environment.