WelcomeTO WORD OF LIFE We are so excited you re here. Each year God does amazing things at Word of Life summer camps, and we can t wait to see the life change that happens in the year ahead. We have big things in store in 2017! From engaging youth camps, encouraging family camps, and unforgettable memories to last a lifetime, the fun never stops at Word of Life. Whether you join us in the beautiful Adirondack mountains of New York or the sunny beaches of Florida, we have countless opportunities for you, your family and your church to launch your faith and grow closer to God all year long. We hope you will join us for another year of incredible adventure, new friendships, tons of fun and faith-forming moments. YOU WON T WANT TO MISS WHAT WE HAVE PLANNED!
Youth and Family CAMPS 1 11 WHY WORD OF LIFE A Camp Like No Other Life Change Rescued from Chaos A Day in the Life Our Locations Our Counselors OUR CAMPS Youth Camps Family Camps Information for Families Information for Groups 2017 Camp Schedules Earlybird Pricing Will You Join Us?
WHY WORD OF LIFE? A CAMP LIKE NO OTHER Our camps are unique experiences designed to help you LAUNCH YOUR FAITH and to connect with God and others. Why is Word of Life the perfect place for your next getaway?
GOSPEL CENTERED Every aspect of our camps, from daily biblical teaching to caring counselors with a deep knowledge of Scripture, is intentionally designed to help students and families know God. Our faith is the heartbeat of what we do. HIGH ENERGY AND TONS OF FUN Summer boredom? Not here. All of our camps are jam-packed with unforgettable activities and programs to help you have the time of your life and make memories that last a lifetime. Your only regret will be having to leave. COMMUNITY Camps are an amazing way for students and families to get away and connect with each other. Whether you re spending time together as a family, reconnecting with old friends or making new ones, we foster encouraging and loving relationships in a place where you are safe, known and loved. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE With both family camps and youth camps for all ages, we have something for everyone. Within each camp, we offer a variety of activities, ranging from adventurous to relaxing, plus locations at the beach and mountains so you can get away to wherever suits you. FAITH-FORMING The impact of camp lasts much longer than just a summer. At Word of Life, students and families launch their faith, helping them start or continuing their walk with God. 2
LIFE CHANGE A PLACE WHERE LIFE CHANGE HAPPENS Though Word of Life Camps are fun and full of energy, they are about so much more than just summer fun. Our camps are designed to create experiences that allow youth and families to connect with God in new ways, no matter where they are in their spiritual journeys. Every year we see incredible life change at camp as students are introduced to Christ, people grow in their faith and individuals and families grow closer to God and one another. I LEARNED THAT EVEN THOUGH I AM YOUNG, GOD WILL STILL DO GREAT THINGS THROUGH ME. Jordan Coon THROUGH BIBLE HOUR, I VE LEARNED HOW TO LIVE AN EXTREME LIFE FOR GOD IN A FLAT-LINED WORLD. Sierra Gillette I LEARNED TO PUT ALL YOUR FAITH IN GOD, TO LOVE OTHERS JUST LIKE GOD LOVED US, AND TO FOLLOW THE PATH HE GIVES YOU. Mia Rosado 4
RESCUED FROM CHAOS DANIELLE S STORY
W hen Danielle received an invitation to attend a Word of Life Camp, she had no idea what to expect. Although her home life was broken and her father was an alcoholic, both of her parents still supported her decision to go to camp, knowing it may be a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for the young girl. During camp, Danielle experienced genuine, healing love for the first time in her life. As she discovered truth, she slowly began allowing the Lord s love to soothe and heal her battered heart. When camp ended, Danielle still had to return to a home life that was destructive. In fact, soon afterward, her parents split in an ugly divorce. Danielle s mother moved across the country, and her father was admitted to the hospital where his health deteriorated. But still Danielle held on to her faith. Danielle watched in amazement as her newfound faith spread throughout her family and made a huge impact on her father. Before he passed away, he even accepted Christ as his Savior! Some years later, Danielle returned to the Word of Life Camp she had attended as a young girl. That time, she felt a different kind of impact and realized that, despite her faith, she had still been living for herself rather than for Christ. So she sought out ways to live for Christ and made the decision to attend the Word of Life Bible Institute. For the next two years, Danielle dove into learning and began truly searching after the Lord. There she cultivated a passion for serving the local church and ministering to other young girls who came from similar backgrounds as she had experienced. Today, the Lord has taken Danielle into opportunities and places she could never have imagined as she serves alongside her husband at Word of Life New Zealand to reach other hurting people for Christ all because she followed His prompting during a summer camp. I AM SO INCREDIBLY THANKFUL FOR THE TRAINING AND TEACHING I HAD OVER THE YEARS WITH WORD OF LIFE AND LOVE THAT I AM STILL PART OF THE WORD OF LIFE FAMILY SERVING OVERSEAS. Stories like Danielle s happen every day, and we are so thankful to be a part of these stories through Word of Life summer camps! 6
A DAY IN THE LIFE FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET, WE STAY BUSY! A day at Word of Life Camps is a lot of things but one thing it s certainly not is boring. From the minute you wake up until the minute your head hits the pillow, you ll be surrounded by new friends and caring counselors, growing in your faith, having the time of your life and building memories in your new favorite place on earth. While no two days are the same, your week at camp will be filled with nonstop fun and plenty of make your day moments that keep you coming back year after year. 7:30 AM Rise and shine and get ready to start an unforgettable day at camp! Get fueled up for a day of fun with a yummy breakfast in our camp dining hall. 11:00 AM With your body and soul fed, it s time for the day s action to begin! We kick off the adventure with an all-camp activity that is sure to get your heart pounding. Think about crazy fun games like Puzzle Run, Tumbleweed Toss and the Mud Pit! 9:00 AM Start your day in the Word with a morning quiet time set aside for you to relax in the beauty of nature and get to know God better. Then join other campers for Bible Hour, an action-packed session filled with games, worship and an engaging lesson from one of our incredible speakers.
12:30 PM By now you ve definitely worked up an appetite. Get more of all your favorite camp grub at lunch, and then hurry back to an afternoon of action-packed fun! 7:30 PM The sun is setting, but the adventure is just beginning as evenings at camp offer a whole new chance to connect with God and others. At evening Bible Hour, you ll go deeper into the Word with another time of engaging worship and teaching. And after dark, the fun continues with each night featuring a different theme, event or activity, such as improv night, lip sync battles, concerts, campfires, beach parties and crazy games. 2:00-5:00 PM Open afternoons at camp give you plenty of time to play sports tournaments, run ropes courses, climb towers, chill on the beach, play in the lake, hang out with your friends, play disc golf or paintball, go horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking all of the adventure is literally right in your backyard! They say time flies when you re having fun, and before you know it, the dinner bell will be ringing another chance to gather in community and share a meal with friends new and old. 11:00 PM As you retreat to your cabin and a peaceful silence sets in across camp, you ll drift off to sleep happy, tired, filled with new memories and ready to do it all again tomorrow! So, what are you waiting for? Make plans to spend a week or all summer long at Word of Life! THE ONLY DAY YOU WON T LIKE? THE DAY YOU HAVE TO LEAVE. 8
OUR LOCATIONS NEW YORK Schroon Lake Nestled in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, our New York camps offer a sweeping lake view, plenty of outdoor adventure and peaceful places for relaxation. Whether you attend an action-packed youth camp or connect as a family at family camp, the biblical teaching, fun activities, engaging worship and a beautiful setting are sure to help you launch your faith and create memories of a lifetime. FLORIDA Hudson Located just outside Tampa, this tropical paradise supplies loads of fun in the sun with exciting activities and easy access to some of Florida s best beaches and attractions. Make your vacation count for more with God-glorifying worship, engaging biblical teaching and life-giving fellowship that launches your faith and helps you grow closer to God and others.
OUR COUNSELORS WHAT MAKES WORD OF LIFE COUNSELORS UNIQUE? All of our camp counselors have completed at least one year at the Word of Life Bible Institute, an accredited postsecondary program offering intensive Bible study and ministry training. Not only are they specially trained for camp ministry, they are equipped with in-depth biblical knowledge and spend daily time in the Word. Each counselor has learned, signed and abides by our child protection policy and is committed to providing a safe and fun environment in which each camper can flourish. Not only do our counselors help each student have a blast, they are there to care for and mentor them, answer questions and encourage them in their faith. Because we believe life change happens most effectively through relationship, our counselor to camper ratio is low, giving counselors the opportunity to connect with each camper in a meaningful way. 10
OUR CAMPS YOUTH CAMPS Word of Life Youth Camps offer overnight camping experiences for students ranging from elementary school to high school. Our children s, middle school and teen programs are tailored to the needs of different age groups, and our dedicated counselors and challenging speakers encourage students to grow in their faith.
DAY CAMP Want to attend camp, but don t want to stay overnight? We have Day Camps available at both our elementary and middle school camps perfect for local families or students who prefer to sleep in the comfort of their own homes. You will get all the same amazing activities, awesome counselors, engaging Bible sessions and summer memories as overnight campers. In fact, day campers participate in camp right alongside our overnight campers the only difference is where you sleep. Join us for a week or for the whole summer; there s nothing better than waking up each morning and heading out for another day of action-packed, spiritually-forming fun! Check out The Ranch, our elementary camp, and The Wild, our middle school camp, on pages 11 12 for more detail about what each camp offers and what you can expect from Day Camp at either location. PRICING $330 per week for The Ranch $345 per week for The Wild $177 per week for Junior Florida Camp $203 per week for Teen Florida Camp 12
THE RANCH GRADES 1-5 Give elementary students the chance to begin their adventure and launch their faith in a safe, fun camp environment. Children discover biblical truth alongside fun activities such as the climbing tower, swimming, horseback riding and a rodeo! Located in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains, The Ranch is tailored to elementary students, creating a safe place where they can have adventures, learn biblical truth, and build childhood memories that will last a lifetime. PRICING $460 per camper $425 Earlybird if registered by April 30 $375 Super Earlybird if registered by March 31 wol.is/ranch
THE WILD GRADES 6-8 Venture into The Wild, where middle school students will explore and grow in their faith, all the while having a summer they ll never forget at our camp in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains. High-energy speakers, music and activities give students the opportunity to learn biblical truth while playing paintball, riding horses, boating, climbing the tower, making new friends and much more. At The Wild, students experience the unforgettable adventure of a summer away and growing deeper in their faith. PRICING $485 per camper $450 Earlybird if registered by April 30 $400 Super Earlybird if registered by March 31 wol.is/wild 14
THE ISLAND GRADES 9-12 Housed on a 49-acre island in the middle of Schroon Lake, Word of Life Island is a teen camp like no other. During a week on The Island, teens will have the adventure of a lifetime, make new friends and encounter God. High-energy activities, including ropes courses, boating, paintball, sports, climbing walls, a 200-foot waterslide and much more, will make this a summer students will never forget! Meanwhile, students will hear from engaging speakers, experience dynamic worship, be encouraged by godly counselors and develop new friendships all designed to help them connect with God and grow in their faith. PRICING $485 per camper $450 Earlybird if registered by April 30 $400 Super Earlybird if registered by March 31 wol.is/island
FLORIDA YOUTH CAMP GRADES 1-12 Give your students the summer of a lifetime in sunny Florida with an unforgettable camp experience that will impact their spiritual lives forever. Our youth camps are located just outside Tampa and give students access to sports, swimming, paintball, a climbing wall, tubing, arts and crafts, ropes courses and more. Each day, students attend high-energy programs with music, speakers, games and fun that teach them biblical truth, help them grow in their faith and keep them coming back year after year. PRICING $315 per camper for Junior Camp $370 per camper for Teen Camp $285 per camper if registered by March 31 for Junior Camp $340 per camper if registered by March 31 for Teen Camp wol.is/flcamp 16
Upgrade Your Camp Experience
SPECIALTY CAMPS Specialty camps combine all the excitement of Word of Life youth camps with the opportunity to explore a special interest, talent or hobby. Whether you want to work on your soccer dribbling, practice archery or learn how to lead worship, Word of Life specialty camps offer a variety of concentrations to give you the perfect week of adventure and learning. You can find specialty camps at all of our youth camp locations throughout the entire summer. Check online for specific dates and pricing. Pricing of each specialty camp varies. Visit wol.is/youthcamps for all the details. THE RANCH Soccer Horsemanship Basketball Baseball Archery THE WILD Volleyball Soccer Horsemanship Basketball Baseball Archery THE ISLAND Wake Volleyball Worship Paintball Basketball Camp Art Week ADK Wilderness Adventure FLORIDA YOUTH CAMP Karate 18
FAMILY CAMPS Bring the family together to grow in faith and friendship at Word of Life Family Camps. From our family campground, The Pines, to our beautiful Lodge, we offer a wide range of adventurous and comfortable camping experiences where your family can get away, have fun together, worship together and grow closer to God. 20
THE PINES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY Make memories your family will never forget at The Pines, a Word of Life family campground. Our 60-acre lakeside property in upstate New York gives you access to all that the Adirondacks have to offer. Whether you choose to tent camp, bring your RV or stay in one of our cabins, our campground is a fun, dynamic, friendly community where you can connect with God and each other. There s never a dull moment as you have access to tons of fun activities... from sports and day hikes to waterskiing and a playground for the kids. Your faith will be challenged through daily teaching from the Word, engaging children s and youth programs and a summer concert series to help you grow in your faith. With something for everyone here, we guarantee tons of fun, new friendships and a life-changing getaway. $75 off per site if registered by March 31* $25 off per site if registered by April 30 * *Discount applies to FULL WEEKS ONLY. Not eligible on cabins or Lakeside property.
CAMPSITE $150 Primitive Site (No Water or Electric) $240 Tent Site (Water and Electric) $330 Full Hookup Site (Water, Electric, Sewage) $390 Full Hookup with 50 Amps CABINS $588 Primitive Cabin (No Linens/Water), 6 People Maximum $642 2 Person Cabin, 2 People Maximum $732 4 Person Cabin, 4 People Maximum $804 6 Person Cabin, 6 People Maximum $978 8 Person Cabin, 8 People Maximum LAKESIDE $630 Champlain Standard Room, 5 People Maximum $720 Champlain Family Room, 7 People Maximum $1,200 8 Person Duplex, 8 People Maximum $1,500 10 Person Duplex, 10 People Maximum REQUIRED PROGRAM FEES $75 Adult (Ages 18+) $30 Child (Ages 3-17) FREE Baby/Toddler (Ages 0-2) wol.is/pines 22
THE LODGE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY The Word of Life Lodge, located in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York, is the perfect getaway for individuals, couples, groups and families seeking a retreat where they can grow closer to each other and to God. From the main Conference Center to our Lakeview Lodges, the Word of Life Lodge provides sweeping views of Schroon Lake and the High Peaks. Our location is the perfect basecamp for your Adirondack adventure, whether you re looking for hiking, boating, recreation or relaxation and refreshment. A stay at the Word of Life Lodge is more than just a vacation; it s a chance to grow spiritually and to connect with God and others. During your stay, you ll have access to incredible biblical teaching and worship through our weekly speakers. Join us this summer for a time of relaxation, fellowship and spiritual growth. $75 off per adult program fee if registered by March 31* $25 off per adult program fee if registered by April 30* *Discount applies to FULL WEEKS ONLY.
SUMMER PROGRAM AND MEAL FEE $420 Ages 18+ $300 Ages 13-17 $180 Ages 8-12 $90 Ages 3-7 FREE Ages 0-2 SUMMER ROOM RATES $450 Economy Room (Journey s End) $540 Standard Room (Conference Center Double Rooms and William s Motel Double/Single Rooms) $750 Deluxe Room (Conference Center King and 2 Queen Rooms; William s Motel Queen/Twin Bunk Rooms) $900 Premium Room (Lakeview Lodges) $1,200 Norman s Nest (Cabin) 3 Person Minimum, 6 Person Maximum wol.is/lodge 24
SUMMER BIG NIGHTS Go BIG this summer with incredible performances every Thursday night at our New York Family Camps. Our Summer Big Night series brings you the best in Christian comedy and music right here in the heart of the Adirondacks. Don t miss our amazing 2017 lineup! THE SKIT GUYS June 29 MATT HAMMITT July 6 AARON SHUST July 13 JASON GRAY July 20 DAVID PENDLETON July 27 DENNIS SWANBERG August 3 TBD August 10 SIGNATURE SOUND August 17 26
2017 SCHEDULE FLORIDA TEENS Week 1 June 11-17 TEENS Week 2 June 18-24 JUNIORS Week 3 June 25 - June 30 TEENS Week 4 July 2-8 JUNIORS Week 5 July 9-14 TEENS Week 6 June 16-22 JUNIORS Week 7 July 23-28 TEENS Week 8 July 30 - August 4 NEW YORK Week 1 June 25 - July 1 Week 2 July 2-8 Week 3 July 9-15 Week 4 July 16-22 Week 5 July 23-29 Week 6 July 30 - August 5 Week 7 August 6-12 Week 8 August 13-19
EARLYBIRD PRICING When you register by March 31, you can get up to $85 off your camp adventure! Snag your special earlybird deals today. YOUTH CAMPS THE RANCH $460 Regular pricing per camper $425 Earlybird pricing if registered by April 30 $375 Super Earlybird pricing if registered by March 31 THE WILD $485 Regular pricing per camper $450 Earlybird pricing if registered by April 30 $400 Super Earlybird pricing if registered by March 31 THE ISLAND $485 Regular pricing per camper $450 Earlybird pricing if registered by April 30 $400 Super Earlybird pricing if registered by March 31 FLORIDA YOUTH CAMP Junior $315 Regular pricing per camper $285 Earlybird pricing if registered by March 31 FLORIDA YOUTH CAMP Teen $370 Regular pricing per camper $340 Earlybird pricing if registered by March 31 FAMILY CAMPS THE PINES $25 off per campsite if registered by April 30* $75 off per campsite if registered by March 31* *NOT eligible on cabins or Lakeside property THE LODGE $25 off per adult program fee if registered by April 30 $75 off per adult program fee if registered by March 31 28
FOR FAMILIES ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT PROCEDURE Regardless of the camp that you choose, the Registration process stays the same. Upon arrival, find the Start Here tent, and, from there, Word of Life representatives will guide you through the rest of the process to register your child. Pickup will take place on the following Saturday morning from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. COMMUNICATION At our youth camps, we don t allow campers to bring any kind of electronic device, including cell phones. We do this to help each child and teen be fully present in all the activities and learning opportunities. We ask that parents limit all calls to youth camps to emergencies only. In the event that an emergency arises, you can reach the camp offices: The Island 518.532.2581 The Ranch and The Wild 518.494.1300. We will relay the message to your child and have him/her return your call. We do encourage parents to send mail or emails to their kids. To reach your child via email, simply send it to island@wol.org, wild@wol.org or ranch@wol.org with your child s name in the subject line. We ll print out the email and deliver it to your child! To send mail, use the following addresses: USPS [Camper Name] Word of Life [Camp Name] PO Box 600 Schroon Lake, NY 12870-0600 UPS / FedEx [Camper Name] Word of Life [Camp Name] 71 Olmstedville Rd Pottersville, NY 12860
HEALTH To promote the health of all Word of Life Camps, we have nurses on duty 24 hours a day and accommodate all prescription needs and allergies. In the event that your child is injured while at camp, every measure will be taken to contact you and the emergency contact before any medical decisions are made. For more information on our Health Center and our health policies, visit wol.is/camperhealth. SAFETY AND SECURITY We strive to provide a safe and wholesome atmosphere at each Word of Life Camp. Each camp has uniformed and plainclothes security officers who control access to the camp, patrol throughout the camp, and respond to emergencies. All camp staff, counselors, volunteers and vendors have been screened through a criminal background check and have received training in child abuse protection. Campers are supervised by counselors at all times and may only be picked up from camp by persons designated at Registration. At The Island, we have a baggage check policy to search all camper bags for prohibited items. For other questions about safety, security or child protection, please contact security@wol.org. GPS DIRECTIONS If you are following a GPS to reach Camp Registration, please use the following address: Word of Life Bible Institute 4200 Glendale Road Pottersville, NY 12860 PACKING LISTS To help you prepare for your child s time at camp, check the packing lists to make sure you don t forget anything! Wol.is/ranchpacking The Ranch Wol.is/wildpacking The Wild Wol.is/islandpacking The Island Wol.is/flycpacking Florida Youth Camps 30
FOR GROUPS BRINGING YOUR YOUTH GROUP TO CAMP GROUP ACCOMMODATIONS We can accommodate groups of any size, and we do our best to make sure that your entire group stays together and is housed together. We also have plenty of space for you to park your buses or vans during your week at camp. To register your group, visit wol.is/familycamps or call 518.494.6000. YOUTH LEADER ACCOMMODATIONS As a youth leader, you get to choose to be as involved in the activities as you wish. We have designed youth camp so that you can drop off your kids and enjoy a week to yourself or join in on all the fun for the entire week. All sessions and activities are run by Word of Life staff members, but you are welcome to join in. All youth leaders stay at The Lodge or The Pines. Leaders with groups at The Island can stay at The Island Group Housing for $200 a week including all meals. Accommodations for youth leaders are available and can be set up by calling Customer Service at 518.494.6000. Upon check-in, a Word of Life representative will provide you with directions on your lodging and meals for the week. 32
Will You JOIN US? We invite you to experience your faith at Word of Life this summer! We hope you will join us for unforgettable adventures, life-changing friendships, dynamic teaching and worship, faith-forming moments and lifelong memories. We can t wait to see you! WORD OF LIFE FELLOWSHIP PO BOX 600 SCHROON LAKE, NY 12870 518.494.6000 WOL.ORG/CAMPS