Changes begin for camping ministry
By Annette Bender
Camping leaders braced themselves for attendance declines during the 2002 season, but were pleased when the number of summer campers dropped only 2.5 percent, says the Holston Conference's Camping and Leisure Ministries director.
ATTENDANCE DECREASES were expected this year as the result of higher tuition, said the Rev. Randy Pasqua. By the season's end in August, Holston's seven camps had hosted a total 3,026 campers – 77 fewer than in 2001.
"Last summer we had a record year," Pasqua said. "You never know if you're going to have a rebound on a record. But when you raise your tuition by 30 percent, you do that with fear and trepidation. And you budget accordingly."
Surveys indicated that parents and campers would benefit from beginning the camping week on Sunday instead of Monday. Camp leaders obliged this year, but the extra day necessitated raising fees from about $195 to $255 per week – a potentially risky move in the current economy, Pasqua said.
"We were pleased because the drop in attendance could have been more dramatic," he said.
The higher tuition may have turned off some campers and parents. However, those who participated praised the Sunday starting day, surveys show. Working parents preferred not to leave their jobs to deliver kids to camp on Monday. The campers themselves were less rushed with six days of activities instead of five, Pasqua said.
"It was hardest on the directors and staff – less preparative time. But it didn't take long for them to realize the extra day was a good thing. We won't go back," he said.
While most camps reported attendance declines this summer, Buffalo Mountain in Johnson City District had 45 more campers than in 2001. Laurel in Tazewell District had 42 more participants this year. Pasqua attributed Buffalo Mountain's increase to a partnership with Coalition for Children, which sent 70 students to the camp in Jonesborough, Tenn. Camp Laurel, in Rocky Gap, Va., experienced increases after offering day camp for the first time.
New year’s transition
Leaders are now preparing for a restructured conference camp system, as approved by Holston Annual Conference members in June.
Effective Jan. 1, 2003, the "master plan" will execute several changes in camp management that will probably go unnoticed by summer campers and parents, Pasqua said.
But to conference and district leaders, the changes represent an arduous task, three years in the making, to focus on the future of camping ministry.
The changes approved by the Annual Conference include:
- A new name, mission, vision, core values and standard of operation. On Jan. 1 the name will change from Holston Conference Camping and Leisure Ministries (HCCLM) to Holston Conference Camping and Retreat Ministries (CRM).
- A focus for the future of conference camping mission and development through four sites (Buffalo Mountain, Dickenson, Lookout, Wesley Woods). The conference will retain management of these camps, focusing on upgrading the sites to attract adult retreat groups.
"That's an area that we haven't tapped," Pasqua said. The hope is to expand adult ministries through camping as well as improve profitability. In recent years, Holston's camping ministry has accumulated a $250,000 deficit, which will be repaid over the next 10 years.
- Discontinuation of a management relationship with Ahistadi, Ft. Blackmore, and Laurel. Management for these camps will be turned over to their respective districts, "thus allowing district mission and ministry to emerge," according to the master plan. District representatives for the three camps seem to favor the transition. "I personally think this action will only help Camp Laurel strengthen its program," a Tazewell pastor and minister-in-residence, the Rev. Larry Ramey, recently wrote to his parishioners.
- A provision for conference funding of site directors' salaries and benefits. On Jan. 1, each of the directors for Buffalo Mountain, Dickenson, Lookout and Wesley Woods will officially become Holston Conference employees. Currently, site directors' salaries are obtained from HCCLM's operational budget. After the changeover, site directors will be "more connected as conference staff," Pasqua said. To accommodate the salaries, the 2002 Annual Conference voted to increase funding for next year's camping ministry by $77,500. In all, the conference will provide $355,000 toward a 2003 CRM budget exceeding $1.74 million.
In addition, members for the CRM board will be elected through the conference's Nominating Committee, rather than assembled through district representation as in years past, Pasqua said.
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