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Camp Program Philosophy
Every
aspect of the summer program at OOTB follows a common function.
Our working philosophy
centers on what it means to be a part of the Body of Christ
(1 Corinthians 12). Our function is to help each camper
gain a better understanding of his/her part in Christ’s
Body and his/her role in God’s creation. Form follows function. Aspects of our form are as follows:
- Small
Group Emphasis: 12-14 campers and 2-4 counselors
combine to make a unit (small group); low camper
to counselor ratio; strong emphasis on safety; there is
NO unsupervised time.
- Sanctity
of the Small Group: Each unit (group) plans their own week
on with the Program Board; every
camper’s location is known at all times by the
counselors/program director.
- Experiential
Christian Education: More time is spent living and doing
things together as Christians;
relationships and activities are foundations
of the campers’ learning;
nightly worship in both large and small
groups; counselors constantly seek the “teachable
moment”.
- Emphasis
on Stewardship of God’s
Creation: Nature study and Bible study are both forms of
God’s revelation
of love. OOTB provides low-impact site camping.
Activities involve active participation and
interaction with God’s
creation on 50 acres, a creek and the beautiful
Chesapeake Bay.
- The
Small Group’s Dynamics: Each group experiences:
Forming: Individuals become a group following
registration.
Norming: Group interactions take on patterns
and “norms”.
Storming: Any group difficulties eventually
surface.
Performing: Group realizes potential as
the Body of Christ.
Reforming: Debriefing and preparing for
re-entry into the world.
- Progression
of Programs: Each age level offers new and more
challenging programming.
Adventure
and skillbuilding
camps support this progression.
- Family
Style Meals and Cookouts: Meals are a major part of the experiential
Christian education each camper
receives—family style expectations and table
fellowship.
- Camping
(to camp) implies ACTION: OOTB believes there should be effort
required
at camp to
provide for our
daily needs (food, shelter, clean
bathrooms, set tables, etc.). When
entering into
this type of setting, a deeper
sense of our own creativity emerges.
Campers experience the closeness
of living and
caring for self and others,
analogous to the community of early
Christians as described in 1 Corinthians
12.
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