2. Shared Mission, Values & Theology of Camping

Our Mission

The mission of Community of Christ camping programs is to create a safe, Christ-centered community that encourages people to discover God, the sacredness of creation and the blessings of community. We strive to offer an environment that encourages reconciliation, justice, peacefulness, awareness of one's inherent worth, and opportunity to cultivate and express their giftedness. We create transformative experiences where people discover their worth, encounter the divine, and build lasting community rooted in the peace and justice vision of Christ.

Core Values

Worth of All Persons: Every camper and staff member has inherent worth. We treat all people with dignity and respect.

Community: We create safe spaces for authentic connection, vulnerability, and mutual support.

Spiritual Formation: Camping provides time and space to connect with Spirit, listen deeply, and align our lives within our calling.

Justice and Peace: We model and practice our vision of Zion—communities of love, equity, and reconciliation.

Stewardship of Creation: We care for the natural world and teach campers to live responsibly with the earth.

Why Camping Matters

Our camping theology is to promote the restoring of persons to healthy or righteous relationships with God, others, themselves, and the earth is at the heart of the purpose of your journey as a people of faith. Doctrine & Covenants 163:2b

Camp is where theology becomes lived experience. Away from the distractions of daily life, campers and staff build relationships, wrestle with big questions, and practice what it means to live in beloved community.

Research shows that intensive, immersive spiritual experiences in youth and young adulthood have lifelong impact. Many of our most committed leaders trace their callings back to youth camp.

Camp creates embers. Reunions reignite embers decades later, bringing warmth, light, and connection back into people's lives.

Spiritual Practice at Camp

Spiritual Practice is the time in our day when we pause to connect with Spirit, listen deeply, align our lives with God's vision, and support one another. For detailed guidance, see Section 13 (Spiritual Life & Guest Ministry).

It is not only a service. It is rarely a lecture. It is participatory, reflective, and grounded in the experience of the campers struggling to be inclusive, honest and open.

Effective Spiritual Practice weaves together silent reflection, story, music, conversation, and creative expression. It invites campers to bring their whole selves—questions, doubts, joy, and grief—into a shared sacred space.

Camping Vision (CMC Official, August 2026)

We share God's vision of peace and justice and promote the creation of communities of joy, hope, love and peace.

Guideposts

John 13:34-35 calls us to "Teach people to love one another" and build inclusive, spirit-led, and intergenerational camping ministries that: reflect the worth of all persons; create sacred communities of safety and welcome; encourage each individual to explore and respond to God's call; form disciples who live Christ's mission; and express God's love through action.

Our prophet-president, Stacey Cramm, calls us to be pioneers in uncharted territory as we faithfully shape the future of our camping programs. This calls us to: continuously discern what matters most; focus resources on mission, leadership and faithful stewardship; plan for activities that develop spiritually grounded, prophetically bold leaders; and hold ourselves accountable to faithfully reflect, evaluate and respond as God leads.

Mission Prayer

"God, where will your Spirit lead today? Help me be fully awake and ready to respond. Grant me courage to risk something new and become a blessing of your love and peace. Amen."