Every year, I am can’t wait for camp. It’s a great time to connect with kids, celebrate shaving cream craziness, and to share the gospel. This year did not disappoint. FBCE’s kids ministry (Ministry for Generations) participated in three camps this summer (Winshape Day Camps, Connect Camp (FBCE’s very own camp!) and Centrikid). All three camps were phenomenal. Our campers were exposed to great biblical content and made a ton of memories during Trianglulaiton, OMC, and their track times . But with that being said, I’ve also come to realize that not all camps are created equal. Below, I will evaluate the three camps our FBCE kids attended, looking specifically at each camp’s production value, cost, organization, attendance (i.e. FBCE campers), and Bible content. Let’s take a look:
Winshape Camp for Communities
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Production Value: A-
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Cost: B
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Organization: A-
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Attendance (FBCE Kids): C-
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Bible Content: B+
Negatives: Although the Bible content was solid, it can occasionally slipped into moralism (one down side to having the camp pastor be college 
student). But the biggest drawbacks for FBCE is Winshape’s cost and accessibility. Though the $199 per student is not ridiculous, the price can be a little much for parents with multiple kids. Combine the cost with the travel distance (we had to drive to Dublin, GA everyday) and you get only minimal participation. FBCE had only four kids attend camp this year.
Positives: Winshape is a fast past, great day camp. The worship is high powered and features a great combination of teaching, drama, music and video. The camp also runs incredibly smoothly. The kids get to experience a ton of activities. Moreover, the staff really cares about their campers and invests in them. In many ways, Winshape for Communities is like 9-5 VBS run by professional kid workers!
Overall Grade: B
Connect Camp
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Production: B-
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Cost: A+
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Organization: B
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Attendance (FBCE): A+
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Bible Content: A+
Negatives: Being our first year of camp, Connect Camp experienced some technical difficulties. We had to shuffle staff around on occasion to make sure every class and track was covered. 
And, we lacked the live band and custom videos found at Winshape and Centrikid. This year’s mantra was flexibility!
Positives: The three biggest positives of Connect Camp were cost, attendance, and content. Running the camp out our Kids’ Ministry budget, FBCE did not have to charge an attendance fee. Consequently, the number of Connect campers more than doubled the combined number of campers who attended Winshape and Centrikid. And most importantly, we got to ensure that the gospel was clearly preached every day of camp.
Overall Grade: A-
Centrikid Camp
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Production Value: A+
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Cost: A
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Organization: A+
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Attendance: B+
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Bible Content: B
Negatives: In most ways, I think Centrikid is the standard for all kids’ camps. The only negative for Centrikid this year was the camp’s biblical content.
Admittedly, I struggled with this rating. The small group leaders did a great job relaying the gospel and of sharing their testimonies. But the camp pastor did not do so well. He taught (exegeted) great biblical truth, but he never tied his lessons back into the gospel. Because our kids left the main sessions without hearing the gospel, I dropped Centrikid to a B.
Positives: Centrikid Weekend Camps are the perfect way to introduce kids into camp life. Lasting three days and two nights, Centrikid is so jammed pack with activities, games, cool music, teaching, and OMC, the kids have no time to miss home. Plus the $165 cost (which includes all meals) is a very reasonable price. The weekend camp appeals to both campers and their parents, resulting in great FBCE participation. Every year our kids leave camp with a better appreciation for Jesus and of course a little exhausted.
Connect camp also served as a great venue for building relationships. Because the class sizes were smaller than their VBS counterparts, the teachers and track time leaders were able to devote more time to individual kids, learning their hobbies, families, and concerns. We also had tons of opportunities to relate the gospel to kids’ lives through basketball, art, and the small group time.
Lastly, Connect Camp ministered to families. For years, parents have asked FBCE to do some kind of summer program. Connect Camp was just such a program. It received a warm welcome from kids and parents alike. And the word spread. When camp ended, we had ministered to over 65 different kids. And 30 were non-church members.Most everyone who interacted with Connect Camp loved it, asking FBCE to do it again next year!
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