Core Values
Who We Are
Concisely put…We start camps and train counselors to use them.
We saw a need… Camps International was organized believing that a culturally adapted camp facility and program would bring lasting benefit to children, their families and churches. There are many children living in large cities around the world with no access to the incredible influence of a Christian camp experience. We are working to change that.
The result… Camps International assists local talent to start Christ-centered camps in places where there are none. We train counselors to accomplish outreach ministry for their church.
Camps International creates Christian counselor-focused autonomous camps that use a small group ministry focus before, during and after the camp event.
Camps International exists to facilitate the formation of Christian- youth-camp settings in the nations of the world, wherein these camp settings provide opportunities for the telling of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Our Direction
Mission
Our calling is to provide camp settings for people, especially youth, in which trained leaders facilitate directed learning experiences that relate creation and Christ.
Purpose
Our intention is to glorify God by aiding individuals, families, organizations and local churches in presenting the Word of God to the needs of individuals through a trained staff within the environment of camping. We are determined to be about facilitating people in ministry, bringing people to Jesus and drawing people toward Christ-like maturity.
Philosophy
We believe that camping can assist church and family and thereby impact societies and cultures. In order to serve church and family we seek to uphold the authority and structure unique to each unit as it conforms to Scripture. We value the giftings and talents given to individuals and the institutions they form. We therefore strive to equip those who are entrusted to us so that they can best use camp as a tool to further their God given calling.
Why Camp?
Christian camps use the most effective means to reach the most receptive hearts. The means are trained counselors who love Jesus ministering through the authority of their local church in a safe place removed from distraction. The receptive hearts are the children. At no other time in life, statistically speaking, does one so easily grasp what God so freely gives as when they are a child. We think that the combination of camp and kids is a winner!
Camp is Strategic in Latin America, and Elsewhere
- Dinho Pereira, veteran camping leader in Brazil, says Christian camps attract youth who are not permitted by their religious background to attend evangelical churches.
- Bessy Maccuta, CCI[2]/Latin American camping instructor in Honduras, sees camping as a special tool for the church to heal wounds inflicted by broken families and society.
Camp Trains Leaders
- A camp counselor is a leader in the making. Camps are ideal nurturing environments for developing leaders for church and society.
- A survey commissioned by CCI/USA noted that more than half the people in full-time Christian ministry today had made life-changing decisions at camp. Many not only gave their lives to Jesus Christ at camp, but learned their leadership/ministry skills there as well.