The economy has been quite a challenge over the last couple of years for many of our families. Yet, in all the chaos that has been brought on by the economy, parents still see clearly the value of the camp experience for their children. We recently heard from one parent,

“My daughter has gone to camp for the past two years. She would love to go for 2 weeks. Camp has become such an important part of her life. She talks about it all year and plans her return almost everyday. It has become a piece of solid footing for her life. The friends she has made and the experiences she has had have become almost bedrock experiences for her young life. She feels so good about herself and about life when she comes home. We have been hit hard by the bad economy, so we can't afford camp this year.

The North Carolina Conference has deemed Feb 28th 2010 to be "Camp Sunday". Camp Sunday celebrates camping ministry at all three United Methodist camps in the North Carolina Conference - Chestnut Ridge, Don Lee, and Rockfish. You can help celebrate Camp Sunday in your church by:

• Putting information about summer camp in your church newsletter
• Placing inserts in the church bulletin about summer camp
• Making summer camp brochures available to families at your church
• Asking the pastor if you can make an announcement in church on behalf of the camps on Camp Sunday
• Inviting a staff member from one of the camps to come and speak at your church on Sunday morning during church, or during Sunday School, at a fellowship supper, at youth group, or any other church occasion.

Chestnut Ridge would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to all of our Camp Advocates!  We are on our way to a record year and a terrific summer because of your support.

• Getting information about summer camp in the church newsletter
• Placing inserts in the church bulletin about summer camp
• Making summer camp brochures available to families at their church
• Asking the pastor if they can make an announcement in church on behalf of the camps
• Finding opportunities to share information about camp at your church on Sunday morning during church, or during Sunday School, at a fellowship supper, at youth group, or any other church occasion.
• Inviting a staff member from one of the camps to come and speak at your church on Sunday morning during church, or during Sunday School, at a fellowship supper, at youth group, or any other church occasion.