Zweimal erlebt und doppelt begeistert

Local camp in the middle of the village

A camp in the middle of the village is a total success! This summer, after 2008, we organized a second local camp in Embrach with new dimensions in terms of public relations.

We combined the advantages of a children's week with the appeal of a legendary youth camp.

Using an existing advertising platform
Why run your own advertising when there is already a tool for this? We were included in the Embrachertal summer fun program, in which the fire department, children's yoga and other clubs and private individuals presented their taster courses and events. Thanks to this arrangement, our offer was brought into the classrooms by means of a brochure. The Sommerplausch did require each child to pay an additional registration fee of five francs. But the camp fee was low anyway without travel costs. In addition, we were relieved of the entire registration and camp accounting procedure for the participants.

Pirate ship in 2008

The large circus meadow in the village, including electricity and water consumption, was made available to us free of charge. Construction began three days before the camp. The center of the infrastructure in summer 2008 was the approx. 25 m long pirate ship. The boat was built with scaffolding and beams, covered with special fleece. Through relationships with members of the community and business people, building companies generously sponsored us with materials.

Our kids all slept in the hull; in hammocks made from military sheets, buttoned and stretched with ropes between the scaffolding beams. The leaders were accommodated on deck. There was also enough space for the band to sit, sing and listen during the devotions.

For us, the construction work was worth it. Not least because of the experience and service opportunities of practically-minded church people, who got their money's worth here.

Workshops for "day children"
In addition to a continuous camp program, we offered additional workshops with the support of other church members. One afternoon, for example, there were an additional 20 children at our camp site who were there specifically to make bead necklaces. Another time, kids came to us for coin casting. For one overnight stay, we even dared to take 40 additional children on board. Each afternoon, these "day children" were also integrated into our 5 p.m. plenary service, where many of them heard the Gospel for the first time. These extra parts of the program for additional children demanded far-sighted planning and flexibility from us. But we told ourselves: the effort and the program should benefit as many people and relationships as possible!

Contact with parents a top priority
The camp included a specially set up bar for parents and interested parties, run by members of the community. This "parents' bar" was very popular and has become an integral part of our concept!

In the camp info letter, parents were also invited to attend our plenary sessions without any restrictions. They either sat at the bar with a drink or followed attentively from the back what was being sung in songs, played in the band and theater and told in stories about Jesus.

It was particularly important for us to be transparent with the information before the camp, especially with regard to concrete steps of faith taken by children from outside. For example, this year's parents' camp info letter stated: "As a Christian youth ministry, we believe in God's love for all people and races. We want to convey this good message from the Bible, which should determine how we treat our fellow human beings and ourselves, in a way that is suitable for children. It is important to us not to exert any pressure. We are happy to receive your questions and feedback..."

With Flieger in 2009

After the local pirate camp a year ago, it was clear to everyone that we wanted to gain further experience with this type of summer project and make the most of the opportunities.

After a ship came an airplane: our "Embri Air", equipped with a cockpit, position lights and propeller drive

Propeller drive. The construction was the same in terms of material and concept, but the design of the wings and tail unit was somewhat more elaborate. The motto was given: Around the world in 6 days. Each night, while the youngsters slept soundly in the plane, "Captain J" and his crew of leaders flew to a new continent.

The program included an emergency landing, a rebel attack, eating in foreign cultures, hearing about God's work in other countries and much, much more.

Ideas and concept for the local camp

• Presentation and registration via the local summer vacation offer. This reaches many children via brochures distributed to schools and via the Internet.
• Additional workshops for children to attend on a daily basis. This enables "non-camp participants" and their parents to gain an insight into our work.
• Targeted contact with parents through bar service during the camp. Entire families are in our field of vision.
• Participation of interested (or skeptical) parents in the plenary devotions. In this way we live transparency in faith and proclamation.
• A project for the whole congregation. Many members of the congregation show solidarity with the youth group and children's work through selective cooperation.
• In the middle of the village with an original infrastructure. This is interesting for the press. You become the talk of the village. It's great to be perceived differently as a community!

Further information

about the local camp 2008 under 'Attention landlubbers, pirates in sight'.

• Content and picture: Forum Kind issue 4/09, pages 14 + 15. Youth camp in the middle of the village. © Copyright www.forum-kind.ch
• Author: Joachim Heina, Pastor FEG Embrach