Over 400 Campers Attend Epworth Summer Camps

Epworth's summer youth camping program for 2007 concluded with Institute on June 30, marking a positive end for a very successful season. After nearly sixty years of continuous operation, God continues to bless the work of this camp and those who take part as a camper, worker, volunteer, or visitor!

Combined attendance at all of the camps was 413 as compared to 350 last year. This represents a net increase of 63 campers or 18 percent above last year's numbers.

Junior Camp

The Epworth summer camping season kicked off on June 12 with 119 campers attending Junior Camp. The theme for this year's camp, led by Gary Pearce, was "back to the basics." Campers looked at how the fundamentals of Christianity are relevant in present-day life and gained a deeper understanding of their relationship with Christ through active participation in Bible classes, worship, and devotions. Music was provided by Harvest Ministries.

Campers join in an exciting worship time during Epworth Junior Camp.
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Activities at Junior Camp included a trip to the rollerskating rink (aboard the new Epworth bus), water slide, mini-golf, staff dunking booth, crafts, and games. Refreshments from the Summer Kitchen gave a break in between all the fun.

A line quickly forms during a "Summer Kitchen" break at Epworth Junior Camp.
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Fledgling Camp

Epworth Fledgling Camp began on June 18 and concluded on June 20. This camp for children in grades 1 to 4 was under the leadership of Josie Guerrettaz. This year's theme was "one nation under God," with red, white, and blue decorations, flags, and patriotic banners adorning the dining hall.

Fledgling Campers stand at attention as the flag is presented for the Pledge of Allegiance.
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The 91 young campers studied the many gifts that God has richly blessed our nation with and why we should do our best to wisely use them. The children worked in teams to plant trees, clean up the camp grounds, and give a helping hand to some of God's creatures by making bird food treats from pinecones. A presentation was given on recycling and energy conservation to teach the importance of being good stewards of God's creation. Harvest Ministries provided music during the praise and worship times.

Fledgling Campers work together to plant trees on the Epworth grounds.
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Fun activities included several inflatable play areas, water slide, games, and crafts.

Two Epworth Fledgling Campers square off for a friendly joust during activity time.
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Grandparent/Grandchild Camp

A total of 29 grandparents and grandchildren participated in this year's Epworth Grandparent/Grandchild Camp from June 22-24. Tammy Merrell served as Dean. This camp gives grandparents a time to do something special with their grandchildren while sharing their faith in God.

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Campers and staff at the 2007 Epworth Grandparent/Grandchild Camp.
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The grandparents helped their grandchildren with crafts and in Bible lessons based on the story of the Good Samaritan. For fun time activities there was a movie and games and the children enjoyed a water slide and inflatable bouncing fun house while the adults supervised and visited with one another.

The children enjoy the amusements at the 2007 Epworth Grandparent/Grandchild Camp.
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Epworth Youth Institute

Youth Institute not only marked the finale of the summer season of Illinois Great Rivers Conference-sponsored camps at Epworth, but had the largest attendance as well. Beginning on June 24 and concluding on June 30, the camp was under the direction of Brad Henson. A total of 174 Junior High, Senior High, and Post-High School campers attended this year's Institute.

A long line awaiting their turn to be served supper during Epworth Youth Institute.
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The theme of Institute '07 was "pray." Campers focused on the importance of prayer as a part of Christian life through devotions, small group discussions, and stirring messages from the speakers. The Harvest Ministries team was present to lead the youth in inspiring praise music.

A small group meets near the Tabernacle during evening worship at Epworth Institute.
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The Institute campers also got the opportunity to put their faith into practice through a daily mission project time. They worked on a variety of projects including cleaning up the grounds, organizing items stored in the workshop, landscaping, mounting the new sign by the front entrance, and cutting down boards to build benches for the Tabernacle.

Levi Byers, Senior High Institute camper, works on landscaping outside a dormitory.
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Recreational activities included basketball (on the newly refinished court), volleyball, games, visits to the Summer Kitchen for refreshments, a trip off-campus for rollerskating, hanging out with old friends, and making new friends. On the 29th, the next to last day of Institute, the annual counselors vs. campers softball game took place. Youth wasn't enough to overcome experience this time, however. The final score was counselors, 37, campers, 13 (at least as near as they could tell; the scorer didn't keep too close of a count once the counselors went over 30 runs). Better luck next year campers!

The annual Epworth Institute counselor vs. camper softball game.
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 Thank you to all campers, staff, and volunteers who helped prepare for or participated in any of the camps this summer. Also, thank you to churches, groups, and individuals who have aided financially. Together you have made 2007 a great year at Epworth!