Campground Ministry

Florida Baptist Convention

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not  believed in? And how can they believe in the one whom they  have not heard? And how can they hear without someone  preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are  sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of  those who bring good news!'" (Rom. 10:14-15, NIV).

A campground consists of any private, county, or state  camping area that provides facilities for tent or  recreational vehicle (RV) camping. Most offer daily,  weekly, and monthly rates. In the Southern U.S., from  Florida to California, most campgrounds are at capacity  during the winter season.

Why Minister?

There is a dual purpose for this ministry: To provide an  evangelical Christian witness to non-believers and to  provide opportunities for continued spiritual growth for  believers.

Relating in the World

As in every area of life, relationships are important in  the leisure setting. The Christian must take the initiative  to build meaningful relationships within the resort  community. A balanced relationship with campground  personnel will open doors to ministries and build good  relations between the church and community. As you approach management, relate to their needs. Seek to  gain an understanding of their goals and offer to help meet  these through the services you can provide to campers and  employees. Avoid "church" language and spiritual cliches;  speak their language so that a clear understanding exists.  For example, offer a children's day camp rather than  Backyard Bible Club or a service rather than a ministry.  Make a list of "church words" and translate them into  everyday language. Be honest, but in the language they will  understand. Be accepting, courteous, and appreciative.  Remember Christ's admonition to "love your neighbor as  yourself."

Steps in beginning 

• Elect a person, committee, or organization in the church  to take leadership in this ministry.
• Survey camping facilities in your area. Determine if they  are private, public, county, or state parks. Notice the  type and age of person in the campground. Obtain a listing  of services offered at the campground. Determine what other  services are needed. 
• Meet with the committee to brainstorm ideas that can meet  the needs of the camping facility. 
• Prioritize the ministry ideas. 
• Determine what personnel, material, and financial  resources are needed to carry out the ideas. 
• Write a ministry proposal. Describe the project, the  people who are responsible, time limits, and  responsibilities of the church and the campground. 
• Make an appointment to visit the campground management.  Provide a written description of the proposal and verbally  share your ideas with the management while listening to his  or her idea of variations of your proposal. Contact needs  to be made three months prior to the ministry starting  date. Be flexible with your proposal. The manager could  provide valuable advice on the timing of your project. 
• Recruit and train volunteers for the ministry project.  This includes training in the specific work and witness  training. Include the rules, expectations, and desired  outcome of the ministry. 
• Promotion in the campground is crucial. Ask management  for permission to promote the event. Promotion can include  flyers, banners, camper visitation, newsletters, etc. Be  sure to state the time, place, and sponsor of the activity. 
• Implement ministry as planned. Remain flexible and be  open to change as warranted. Keep all promises to  management. Retain a positive attitude throughout the  ministry. 
• Evaluate the ministry. Get feedback from volunteers,  campground management, and participants. 
• Follow-up on professions of faith, recommitments, and  those asking questions or interested in further contact. 
• Write thank you notes to those involved in the ministry.  Remember campground employees and management. 
• Make plans for your next ministry project.

Meeting the Needs

Opportunities in the public, private, county, or state  camping facility are limited only to our own creativity. An  overview of ideas is presented here.

Hospitality Center

The hospitality center provides an opportunity to welcome  the campers. The "center" can consist of a table in the  registration area or outside the main office entrance.  Campers can be given information on the camp, community,  health services, places of interest, church information,  and free fruit, juice, or snacks.

Information Guide

An information guide could be provided to the campground  for new camp arrivals. This guide would provide any  information pertinent to the area, churches, grocery  stores, hospitals, etc.

Arrival Help

This ministry would involve volunteers being available to  assist campers in setting up camp. These volunteers need to  be knowledgeable on the procedure of setting up camping  facilities.

Nature Walk

A nature walk provides a perfect setting in which to bring  campers into contact with God through the utilization of  nature. Parables may be taught while describing the  surrounding setting.

Worship

Nature lends itself toward worship. One means of worship is  to provide a satellite Sunday School in the campground.  Another is to establish different times for worship for  employees and campers. These services should be widely  promoted through whatever channels are available. It is  important that these services be casual and open to all  denominations. The services should be kept to 30-45 minutes  in length. Do not solicit an offering or invitation.  Individual counseling can take place at the close of the  service. Encourage audience participation through Scripture  reading, responsive readings, and singing. It is vital that  the service is held at a convenient time for the target  group. Be flexible with the time so more people have an  opportunity to worship.

Chaplain-on-Call

Even in instances where worship services are prohibited,  there can exist the need for a chaplain. Chaplains can  respond to emergencies with employees and visitors plus  provide a supportive role for management. Chaplains need to  be well versed in responding to emergencies and be  knowledgeable of helps available in the community. A  certification process for volunteer chaplains may be  available through your state Baptist convention.

Pot Luck Dinners

These dinners, in which campers bring a dish of food with  them, provide campers a chance to meet each other. These  dinners provide the Christian a chance to: (1) provide  Christian entertainment, (2) provide a short devotional,  (3) make contact with campers in a casual setting, and (4)  provide wholesome activities for campers.

Exercise/Hobby Classes

Exercise classes provide an opportunity to establish  relationships while assisting in the health of campers.  Exercise/ hobby classes can consist of low impact aerobics,  shuffleboard, hiking, fishing, square dancing, and crafts.

Newsletter

A newsletter helps the camper keep up with camp activities  and provides the Christian an opportunity to share Christ  through writing.

Evening Programs

Programs can range from churches providing entertainment to  an ice cream social. These can be held weekly, monthly, or  bi-monthly. A Christian witness is shared while campers are  provided with special activities. Utilize puppets, clown,  drama, and music. This is also a good activity for  families.

Holiday Activities

Since many senior adults are in "Sun-belt" states during  the major holiday seasons it is important to remember those  who are camping. Ideas include: Thanksgiving dinner;  Christmas caroling, Christmas party, New Years party, and  Easter sunrise services.

Day Camp

A day camp for children, usually ages 4-11, can be  established in the campground. Materials may include  Backyard Bible Club, Christian daycamping material or Big A  Club. (If not enough local volunteers are available,  volunteers recruited through the state convention or North  American Mission Board may assist in the beginning of this  ministry.) Day camps can be conducted three-to-five days a  week for one-and-a-half to two hours. Always have adults  available to share their faith with parents.

Recreation

Various forms of recreation for the family can be  established. This can include volleyball, softball, odd- ball olympics, etc. This provides a fun family time while  giving the Christian opportunities to share Christ and  Christian principles for family growth. A good giveaway is  Gods Word for the Family by the American Bible Society.

Parents' Night Out

This ministry can be set up at a church or in the  campground. The parents are provided a chance to enjoy the  area without the children, while enabling the children to  meet and enjoy fun activities. Children who may have never  heard the good news of Christ can be exposed to the gospel  through Christian volunteers taking time to provide  childcare in the campground.

Evangelism

The heart of leisure missions is evangelism. Leisure  evangelism is communicating the message of the gospel in  common language to secular society.

Leisure evangelism involves being sensitive to the leading  of the Holy Spirit and earning the right to be heard.  Campers or campground employees must realize that  Christians care before they will be open to hearing the  gospel. Personal openness, common interests, and a  listening ear help build trust in relationships.

The first step in building a witnessing relationship is to  be friendly and sincerely care. Secondly, be at ease or  "laid back." Next, listen to where the person is coming  from—what do they believe and why? Once we've taken time to  truly listen, the right to be heard has been earned. Then  with a balance between urgency and sensitivity, the  Christian shares his or her personal testimony. The task is  to get the gospel to all who do not know Christ,  recognizing not every person is at the same level of  preparedness. A total reliance on the Holy Spirit's  leadership is essential. In obedience, we share the good  news, and the outcome is left to God.

Summary

Prayerfully determine available resources and immediate  needs in the campground. Do not be afraid to start small.  It is of utmost importance that integrity is always  maintained. Whatever is promised must be fulfilled. Be  careful to find the balance of all that can be done and  done well. Good planning is the key to success. Be  overprepared, anticipating all that might occur. Remember  limitations exist only in lack of imagination and  creativity. Pray for open eyes to see—then do it.

"Again Jesus said, 'Peace be with you! As the Father has  sent me, I am sending you'" (John 20:21, NIV). Adapted from Resort Missions: A resource for the local  church published by the Florida Baptist Convention, Vol. 1,  No. 3 — Campground Ministry Copyright © 1989 by Florida  Baptist Convention. All rights reserved. Used by  permission.