1. 2 out of 3 Christians make a commitment to Christ before their 18th birthday.

2. Those who become Christians before their teen years are more likely to remain committed to their Christian faith as adults.

3. Relational ministry is the most influential component in a person’s acceptance of Jesus Christ.

4. Camp Counselors often spend more time in one week with a camper than many children/youth workers get in a year of traditional programs.

5. A Christian Camp experience affiliated with the local congregation is the most common identifying denominator in a youth making a faith commitment–more than pastor, family, friend.

6. More than half of the people in full time ministry today made life changing decisions at camp.

Explore! This summer we will again have a variety of interesting camps of all kinds for all different ages. We think that we offer something for everyone and hopefully you are able to find a camp that gets you excited. The reason we do camp though is to encourage all of our participants to explore while they are at Blue Lake. While you are here you will explore your faith, explore a new community of friends, explore God’s creation, explore some new activities and skills that you haven’t tried before, and explore God’s call on your life. Camp is all about exploration and we hope that every person that steps into this place has an opportunity to explore a number of things.

Grow! The purpose of exploration is to grow and that is the purpose of camp. We want you to grow as much as you can while at camp. How awesome is it that you can grow closer to God at camp and at the same time master archery? There are an endless number of ways one can grow while at camp and Blue Lake is all about helping you grow. When you go home you will be more confident, more knowledgeable, more experienced, and closer to God.

Go Out! Unfortunately, we can’t live at Blue Lake so that means eventually we have to go back home to our own people and our own community. Christ has called you to spread his love to the world which starts in your own community. The best part about camp is that the person you become at camp doesn’t have to stay at camp. That same person that grew closer to God and found the courage to go down the water slide is the same person that can go back home and change their world for the better. If we grow at camp, but go home unchanged then we have missed the point. Camp is set apart from your world so that you hear from God and then go back into the world and share all that you have learned.

So whether you are spending time exploring camp in the dark, comparing Dr. Seuss and Jesus, having a girls night out every night, or participating in crazy games, sports competitions, and creative worship experience, your time here is all about becoming a better you so that you can change the world. At Blue Lake you are our focus and this summer we hope you will join us as we explore, grow, and go out!

Wesley Chapel was lit by candles, the center aisle lined with a white runner strewn with red and pink silk rose petals.  One by one young girls were escorted down the aisle by a Blue Lake ‘Prince’, handed the scepter of Truth, and crowned with a crystal tiara, blessed as a Princess…a daughter of THE KING.

This was the scene on the last evening of the Girls Only…Princess Camp at Blue Lake last summer.

Teen aged girls gathered to celebrate their lives as princesses in the Kingdom of God, and to find out more about what that may mean in their lives.  After checking into the Castle constructed at the end of Oakwood Lodge, they decorated their rooms, and settled in.  Days were spent learning about the King’s daughters found in the Bible, like Ruth, Ester, Mary.  They talked about snakes, and apples, and what tempts them in their lives, and how they can trust Christ to help them deal with it.  They enjoyed designing a ‘project runway’ royal ball gown, and learning etiquette for the Royal Banquet.  Sashes were designed so each girl could be ‘known’ by a fruit of the spirit, and spa time, story time, craft time and standard camp activities were engaged in.

But the night of the Coronation was special…each girl expressed later that she had truly felt a unique moment when she was crowned and charged to be Christ’s Princess in the world.  Girls who had attended church their entire lives said it was the first time it was personal for them to accept the challenge to live like Christ.  Girls from across our Conference, from various family situations, and foster care, joined with each other to form a true Family of God, praying and praising together.

Several of these girls attended this unique camp because of the generosity of people who gave to the Blue Lake Scholarship Fund.  In 2010 over 200 children had the opportunity to experience Christ’s love and the adventure of camp because of scholarship funds.  In a time of financial pressure in our communities, donors from around our country responded to the need for children to enjoy camp.  Some donors have never been to Blue Lake, but understand the importance of the ministry we share with our children.   This summer over 2,000 campers are expected at the many programs sponsored by Blue Lake.  Some will need financial assistance to attend.  It is the desire of the Blue Lake Staff, Program Committee, and Trustees that no child be denied a chance to attend due to financial restraints.  Please support the ministry that encourages children and youth to seek God in His Creation and shares love with all who come.

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