Youth Camp At Orton Ranch
Provides Christian Camping Experience
July 17, 2006
Monday
Ketchikan, Alaska - Forty-four children and twenty-three adult
leaders, representing three different churches, recently participated
in a children's youth camp for five days at Orton Ranch. The
South Tongass Alliance Church hosted the camp on Naha River,
which was their first such experience.
Orton Ranch Children's
Camp Group
Photograph courtesy Leslie Randall
According to Leslie Randall, who has been involved in Christian
camping since 1974, Westview Christian Church, Spartanburg, South
Carolina, and First Christian Church, Titusville, Florida, both
sent a mission team to teach the local church volunteers the
ins and outs of running a Christian youth camp. The mission teams,
comprised of volunteers with Christian camping experience and
who are all active with the youth in their home congregations,
planned and organized a structured camp program for the youth
of Ketchikan. They worked closely with the South Tongass Alliance
volunteers, teaching them as the week progressed, and sharing
helpful advice. Randall said, "This is nothing new to the
folks from the Florida church, as they have been helping local
congregations here in Ketchikan with camp since 2001.
Campers enjoyed swimming
in the Naha River daily
Photograph courtesy Leslie Randall
"Christian camping is really popular in Florida," states
Robyn McDole, head of the Puppet Ministry at the Titusville Church,
"and we are thrilled to be able to share what we know with
this church family in Ketchikan."
Cheryl Hoggard, Director of
Children's Ministries, at the South Tongass Alliance Church said
that several local businesses and individuals also contributed
to help the program go so smoothly and is very grateful to the
following:
- Southeast Stevedoring provided
water transportation to and from camp.
- Miles Enright transported
gear and supplies in and out of camp via helicopter.
- Guardian Flight provided the
medical supplies for the emergency kit as well as water transportation
out of camp. They also were available for medevac transport,
which fortunately was not needed.
- The First Baptist Church of
Ketchikan provided ground transportation and water transportation
for the mission teams.
On the final night
of camp, there was an awards ceremony
to recognize special achievements
Photograph courtesy Leslie Randall
Cade King, pastor of the South Tongass Alliance Church, which
temporarily meets in the high school auditorium, said he is so
thrilled with the outcome of the camp that he hopes to expand
the age group next summer and add some specialty camps as well.
E-mail your news &
photos to editor@sitnews.us
Publish A Letter on SitNews Read Letters/Opinions
Contact the Editor
SitNews
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska
|