Purpose

The purpose of Camp Cherith is to help children and youth put Christ in every aspect of life by recognizing him as Saviour and Lord and developing a lifestyle based on Biblical values.

Goals

To enable children to enter into a personal relationship with Christ and to know His Word.

• By presenting Christ as Saviour and Lord, the camp program gives children opportunities to experience salvation and grow spiritually.
• Campers will have the opportunity to study Scripture, learn how to apply it to daily life, and grow in their relationship to Jesus Christ as Lord.

To enable children to form healthy relationships.

• Campers will have the opportunity to practice Biblical principles of community living, which enables them to develop positive relationships, to learn to work with others, to accept responsibility within a group, and to develop decision-making skills.
• By teaching that God created people to be interdependent, camp leads children to recognize their need for relationships with both peers and adults.

To enable children to grow as whole persons.

• In activities, campers will have the opportunity to have fun, increase skill, build confidence, and develop a sense of accomplishment and self-discipline.
• Campers will develop a sense of individual uniqueness and God-given worth.
• Campers will have the opportunity to develop a greater appreciation for God’s creation by learning to care for and enjoy the outdoor environment.
• Campers will participate in a total camp program that is safe and healthy.

To enable adults to better understand children and encourage their overall development.

Theological Beliefs

We believe that:

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died and rose again to provide redemption for each person. Therefore, at every age level children will be taught that Jesus is Saviour and Lord. Opportunities to make a personal commitment to Christ will be given according to the spiritual readiness of each child.

The Bible, the inspired, authoritative Word of God, is our rule for faith and practice. Therefore, children are taught to study the Scripture, discover its truths, and apply them to everyday life. Scripture memorization is a natural part of this learning process.

God has created his people as whole beings called to live a biblical lifestyle. Therefore, children will be guided in practicing a holistic approach of putting Christ in every aspect of life and learning to serve God in their church, community, and world.

God has ordained the Church to evangelize and to nurture through discipleship.

Philosophy of Christian Education

We believe that:

God has created each person a whole being with individuality, uniqueness, dignity, and potential.

•  Therefore, children are respected and encouraged to learn new things, express creativity, explore potential gifts and abilities, and have leadership opportunities.

Children learn Christian behaviors and biblical values as modeled by their adult leaders.

• Therefore, children will have opportunities to develop relationships with adult leaders during small group interaction, skill building activities, and camp outings.

Values are formed when children choose among alternatives and consider the consequences of each alternative.

• Therefore, children should experience security, trust and love in a camp environment where they have the freedom to question, discuss, and make their own choices.

Philosophy of Learning

We believe that:

Children progress through certain development stages, mastering the tasks of one age level before moving on to the next stage.

• Therefore, Camp Cherith’s spiraling curriculum introduces simple facts, skills and concepts at early stage levels increasing in complexity at succeeding ages.

Learning is most effective when children actively participate in meaningful learning experiences.

• Therefore, children are given opportunities to observe and practice skills, attitudes, and behaviors appropriate for their age level.

Children have unique and individual learning styles.

• Therefore, the camp program provides a variety of activities and methodology, which encourages children to respond differently and individually.

Holistic learning occurs when all three learning domains (knowing, feeling, and doing) are included in the learning process.

• Therefore, lessons aims include activities that call for response in the cognitive (know), affective (feel), and psychomotor (do) domains.

Children are motivated by a desire for achievement, success, and self-improvement. With maturity, young people may also wish to serve God and help others.

• Therefore, children are given opportunities to select activities according to their interest with an emphasis on self-improvement and co-operation, rather than competition.