Songs and games, crafts and refreshments, hikes in the woods and rowboat rides. Summer camp is all this and more, but now kids don't have to go away to camp. Camp can come to them in Camp Courageous, Standard Publishing Company's Vacation Bible School Series for 1996. And what a special camp it is!
The teacher instructions offer plans to decorate each classroom to look like part of a campgound. They also suggest using artificial Christmas trees and cedar spray to simulate a woodsy setting. Teachers can even dress for camp! This is sure to excite kids and get them into the camping mood.
Based on Psalm 31:24, "Be strong and courageous . . . He shall strengthen your heart," the emphasis for the total program is exploring the lives of Bible characters who dared to be different for Jesus and building up today's kids to be courageous for Him. Five different age levels, preschoolers through fifth and sixth graders, are challenged to find out what following Jesus really means, and to make the commitment to follow him. And they are encouraged to serve others and to share their faith.
All student materials are full-color and have an appealing magazine format. Accompanying posters, name tags (in the form of footsteps to follow Jesus), punch-outs, and music provide lots of activities.
Lessons for all age groups cover the selected Bible text and theme very thoroughly. Each day has a focus, a text to be spotlighted, and a challenge. For example, one day the focus is on forgiveness. The scripture reference for study is about Onesimus and Philemon, and the challenge is to forgive as Jesus did. All activities are biblically based and provide for plenty of discussion about the theme.
There are enough lessons for each age level so that a church can use the Camp Courageous materials for either five or ten days, depending on their schedule. The leader guides for each lesson begin with a thought-provoking and encouraging devotion from Christian author/artist Joni Eareckson Tada. Then there is a concise, in-depth look at the lesson text written by Orrin Root.
The lesson plans walk teachers through the specifics of preparation, class time, and follow-up.
Materials needed are listed conveniently in a sidebar next to the suggested activities. The goals are easy to understand, and the desired responses are easy to measure. There is also a family-home Bible study guide to go along with what happens at "camp".
The Camp Courageous program comes in a brightly colored piece of luggage. Open it and you're ready to go!
Karyn Henley is an author of children's materials from Nashville, TN.
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