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Our theme for this summer was One in Love as we commemorated 50 summers of ministry at Bear Creek Camp. Each week our summer staff and campers explored God’s call for us to be in community together through our beloved BCC song “Go in Peace.”
Through the lens of the song, campers reflected and learned around our daily themes: “Finding God’s peace” “Being a sign of God to others” “When we are together in community we grow, care, and change” “The good times and the bad times have made us all one” “Share the light of Christ to the world.”
Our Bear Creek Camp community - campers, parents, summer staff, and prayerful supporters - truly embodied these values throughout Summer 2024.
In the midst of love: tragedy
As you likely know by now, this summer was marked by the tragic loss of a camper in an accident at the lake. To care for our campers and summer staff, we paused youth camp for two sessions. During that time, our community stepped forward - members of the Board of Directors, pastors, parents of summer staff, and staff alumni volunteered to provide comfort, mental health support, meals, administrative support, and so much more. With that support for our staff team and the prayers and support of our entire BCC community, we resumed camp for our final two sessions of the summer.
In the midst of grief: grace
Together we ministered to 613 youth during five weeks of overnight and day camp programs and 12 families joined our summer family camp.
“I’ll never forget how I was at the top of the high ropes course and everyone was encouraging me and cheering me on. I felt surrounded by love and cared for.”
“The best part of camp was meeting new people and being off my phone!”
“I learned a lot about God and how we are basically all family and one in love.”
“Next year for camp I wish to become a counselor and help make a difference”
Forty-three college-aged summer staff answered the call to live in intentional community shaping the lives of young people. God’s love was reflected in the staff’s presence as positive role models who meet campers where they are, encourage them to try new things, and support their growth as individuals and as a community. The impact of these young leaders on campers and the growth they experience themselves continues to be a necessary and beneficial cornerstone of our summer camp program.
“I came to camp this summer because I wanted to find my place in a community with people I love and who love me and I know from my time as a camper I could find that here and I did.”
“I was able to give back to this incredible community that did so much for me.”
In the midst of grace: moving forward
We don’t take for granted the grace-filled gift that is our shared ministry together. As we move into the Fall, we begin our season of serving guest groups and retreats while also beginning preparations to join together again in Summer 2025.
We are deeply appreciative of each of you for being a part of the BCC family. See you at camp soon.
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