Course Catalog

YMI225E Youth Camping (3 credits) 9403

COURSE DESCRIPTION
An introduction to youth camping as a ministry tool of the local church/denomination. Exploration and analysis of the biblical foundation, historic beginnings and contemporary trends of youth camping and their application to young people, camp staff, and the local church.

LEARNING RESULTS
The learner will be able to:
• Identify the biblical and historic roots of Christian camping.
• Describe each element of the camping program with an understanding of how each part fits together to impact the lives of participants.
• Discover how to recruit, train, and utilize volunteer staff.
• Program camp so that each participant (staff and camper) is impacted body, soul, and spirit.
• Evaluate the camping experience to enhance future camp planning and use the camping experience to enhance a church's Christian Education department.

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS
Mahaffy, Kevin J. Youth Camping (teaching manuscript). Published by the author. 2006. Purchase this manuscript from the TUFW Online office for a fee of $10 plus shipping and handling.

Mattson, Lloyd. Christian Camping Today: a complete handbook for the short-term staff. Wheaton, IL: Harold Shaw Pub., 2000. ISBN:0877886113.

Venable, Stephen F. & Donald M. Joy. How to Use Camping Experiences in Religious Education: transformation through Christian camping. Birmingham, AL: Religious Education Press., 1998. ISBN:0891351043.

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INTEGRATION OF FAITH AND LEARNING
The integration of faith and learning in this course occurs through the required textbook reading and interactions with the texts as well as through instructor comments when grading and reviewing assignments. Experiences integrated throughout the course will cause the students to apply the knowledge learned to real world settings. The scenarios presented for response are practical items designed to engage the student in real-life situations calling for mature decisions and biblical understandings. The practicum will help students express their learning and apply biblical understanding to actual youth camp experiences.

LEARNING DOCUMENTATION
Students will be asked to submit specific documentation for each of the learning assignments for evaluation and grading.
• Interaction with specific questions in instructional manuscript.
• Submit specific papers after reading required textbooks.
• Submit evaluations after practical involvement with a youth camp or recollection of past experiences.
• Submission of paper investigating spiritual impact of camp on youth.
• Summary of scenario situations presented to student for practical application of knowledge.
• Submission of a documented and balanced camp budget complete with expense and income projections

LEARNING EVALUTATION
Evaluation is on a point system:
Assignment #1 - 30 points
Assignment #2 - 30 points
Assignment #3 - 50 points
Assignment #4 - 30 points
Assignment #5 - 40 points
Assignment #6 - 20 points
Total Points - 200 points