Resolution to Establish Camping Sunday-2024

Title: Establish Camping Sunday

 Budget Implications: None

 Rationale: The Baltimore-Washington Conference has a rich history of retreat and camping ministry and currently owns Camp Harmison, Manidokan Camp and Retreat Center, and the West River Center.  This resolution designates a Camping Sunday to celebrate this ministry and promote involvement with people of all ages to strengthen and sustain this conference-wide ministry.

 Submitted by: Chris Schlieckert, Director of Baltimore-Washington Conference Retreat and Camping Ministries and the West River Center, on behalf of Baltimore-Washington Conference Retreat and Camping Ministries.

 RESOLUTION: 

Whereas one of the most common desires expressed by local churches is to be in ministry with more young people;

 Whereas retreat and camping ministries is a prime example of how we can do more through our connection than we can on our own;

Whereas many of our churches, clergy, and laity do not know about the opportunities available for personal and spiritual growth through retreat and camping ministries;

Whereas our camps are most effective when both clergy and laity are actively involved in promotion, recruitment, usage, and service as volunteers and spokespeople;

Whereas retreat and camping ministries offer a unique place and space to encounter Christ and promote a life of discipleship particularly with young people; and

Whereas 93% of campers say their faith was strengthened by camp, 80% answer that they “learned something new at camp,” and 73% believe their faith questions were taken seriously by camp staff[i]; now

Therefore, be it Resolved, that the Baltimore-Washington Conference establishes Camping Sunday as a special Sunday to appear annually on the Conference calendar on the second Sunday of February.  Local churches are encouraged to: 1) promote Conference summer camp programs and recruit people to participant as campers, volunteers, or staff; 2) to organize and attend retreat opportunities; and 3) to celebrate the impact of retreat and camping ministries; and

Be it further Resolved, that churches are encouraged to collect a special offering on Camping Sunday for the purpose of creating or sustaining their local church’s campership (camp scholarship) fund to support sending young people in their congregation and community to camp, opening the opportunity to grow and be transformed at summer camp to as many young people as possible.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2024

CO-SPONSOR(S): 
Christie Latona – BWC Chief Program Officer/Director of Connectional Ministries
Rev. Bill Brown – BWC Director of Innovative Evangelism
Rev. Rachel Cornwell - Dumbarton UMC (Washington DC)
Rev. Kathryn Bishop - Middletown UMC (Middletown)
Wendy Johnson - Eastern UMC (Baltimore)
Rev. Bonnie McCubbin -Old Otterbein UMC (Baltimore) and BWC Director of Museums and Pilgrimage
Rev. Dr. Jennifer Smith - Wesley Freedom UMC (Eldersburg)
Rev. Terri Rae Chattin -Reisterstown UMC (Reisterstown)
Melissa Andrews – New Hope UMC (Brunswick)
Rev. Amy McCullough - Grace UMC (Baltimore)
Rev. Vivian McCarthy - Trinity UMC (Frederick)
Ken Ow - North Bethesda UMC (Bethesda)
Rev. Meredith Wilkins – Arnolia UMC (Parkville)
Cheryl Cook - Community UMC (Crofton)
Rev. Danny Breidenbaugh - Mission Central Parish (Fallston)
Rev. Erik Alsgaard - Community UMC (Crofton)
Jennie Lane - Mt. Carmel UMC (Frederick)
Rev. Conrad O. Link - Brook Hill UMC (Frederick)
Rev. Sam Tryon - Brookfield-Immanuel Charge (Brandywine)
Rev. Michael Beiber - Baldwin Memorial UMC (Millersville)
Carly Aughenbaugh - Westminster UMC (Westminster)
Andrew Thornton - Galesville UMC (Galesville)
Rev. Timothy B. Warner - Emory Grove UMC (Gaithersburg)
Rev. Carissa Surber - Hunt's Memorial UMC (Towson)
Rev. Laura Norvell - Faith UMC (Rockville)
Rev. Scott Bostic - Simpson-Hamline UMC (Greater Washington)

[i] https://sacredplaygrounds.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/ECRP-Phase-2-Executive-Summary.pdf

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c., this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and found consistent with the current Book of Discipline.