By Jenn Raison

>MOST PEOPLE have had some experience with camping.

It might be going to an overnight camp or day camp as a child. Or it might be mom and dad packing the trailer or loading up the truck, and driving to a favourite campground to spend time with the kids.

Bu camping has definitely changed. As people’s interests have evolved, camps have had to adust.

Families today are more inclined to find something that is ‘all inclusive,’ or conveniently located close to home.

Many camps have been expanding to provide off-season (September to May) opportunities, including winter or spring break camps.

This has required camps to hire more year-round staff, providing greater ownership and better care of the camp facilities throughout the year.

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Summer programs have also had to be modified, in step with the changing desires of campers.

At Green Bay Bible Camp, for example, archery has been replaced with rock climbing; and canoeing has been upgraded to include water skiing and wakeboarding lessons.

Thanks to advances in technology and the internet, online registration systems allow potential campers to search for information or register for camp whenever it’s convenient for them.

Another change is that camps are putting increased energy into leadership development and training.

This enables camps to play an important role in developing church leaders – as well as the camp staff, who will serve families in the future.

Without a doubt, camping will be a part of family summers for years to come; but camps must adapt to the new requirements of an ever-changing culture.

Camping has indeed changed – and will continue to change.

Jenn Raison is program director at Green Bay Bible Camp.

April 2010