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This summer campers at South Mountain Christian Camp have learned that video games have everything in common with their relationships with God.
"This year we decided to go with the theme Restart," said Steve Collins, executive director. "Each summer we work to choose a theme that will be a connecting point to teach about God, and most children play video games on a regular basis."
Just like with a video game, God offers a restart, Collins said.
"When you lose in a video game, you can always restart," he explained. "And that's what God also offers - when we are lost or mess up, God provides a way for us to begin again. It's been really fantastic how the lessons and theme have connected."
Camp activities have centered on the theme. During recreation time, campers took part in a real-world version of Angry Birds, launching a red ball with a bird on it at a stack of boxes - which had a ball with a pig on it hidden inside. Campers also painted their own camp T-shirts, which featured pixelated hearts and a video game controller on it.
Between activities, swimming, ropes course and zip line fun, campers hear the word of God through devotions and chapel time. If it weren't for this ministry aspect, Collins said he probably wouldn't do the job.
"Teaching about God is the most vital element to all of this," he said. "I've seen other camps that are affiliated with religious organizations or are a Christian camp in name only. Our focus makes us distinct."
Collins, and his wife, Jen, have been at South Mountain since 1998. The couple met at a camp in Colorado, and fell in love with Christian camp ministry. Following graduation from college, they began to send resumes to camps across the Southeast.
"It was a rainy, cloudy miserable day when we visited here, but we immediately knew we were home," he said.
Starting first as program director, Collins was asked to become executive director a few years back.
"O.A. and Charlotte (Fish, who founded and operated camp) recognized that they will not be able to run camp forever, and so we were asked to move into this role," Collins explained. "I don't like to say that we are taking over the ministry, because that is far from what we want to do - we will continue what O.A. and Charlotte started when they are no longer able to do so."
No child is denied the opportunity to attend camp due to financial reasons. It's a policy that was adopted by the Fishes, whose philosophy for camp is Luke 18:16 - "Let the little children come to Me."
"About 80 percent of our campers each summer come to camp on scholarship," Collins said. "Every year we fund raise $90,000 for scholarships. We have people who sponsor a child they don't even know for a week of camp."
Sponsorships of campers are still needed for 2015. Donations are tax deductible and can be made by mailing a check to camp at PO Box 9, Bostic, NC 28018 or online at smouthmountainchristiancamp.org.
Camp Plans to build multi-purpose building
South Mountain Christian Camp is currently raising funds to build a multi-purpose building that will be centrally located at camp.
"Currently we can have 100 campers a week, because that's all the space we have room for in our current cafeteria and chapel space," said Steve Collins, executive director of South Mountain.
"The new multi-purpose building would address both of these needs."
The building would also enable the camp to host more retreat groups and special events.
The new building would serve as a cafeteria and assembly space. The 7,200 square foot building would include a stage platform with audiovisual equipment and350 square foot of open space for assembly and dining. It is estimated to cost $1 million.
"We won't go into debt to build it," Collins said. "When God provides the funding, we will build it."
Contributions of any amount toward the building fund are appreciated, he said, and those who donate $1,000 or more will be acknowledged on a permanent plaque inside the building.
To donate, mail check to camp at PO Box 9, Bostic, NC 28018 or online at smouthmountainchristiancamp.org.
