Camp Kairos Winter Camp was held Friday, January 16^th through Sunday, January 18^th at Pine Creek Retreat Center in Gore, VA, for youth in 3^rd-12^th grade. Elementary Camp consisted of 27 campers and 10 leaders. Youth Camp consisted of 43 campers and 5 leaders. Churches from the Southeast represented at Winter Camp included Compass Community Church (Cross Junction, VA), Liberty Brethren Church (Quicksburg, VA), Mathias First Brethren Church (Mathias, WV), Mt Olive Brethren Church (McGaheysville, VA), Oak Hill First Brethren Church (Oak Hill, WV), St. James Brethren Church (Fairplay, MD), and The Gathering Church (Grottoes, VA). 

The weekend’s theme was Called: One Word, Many Ways. Both camps joined together each morning and evening for worship with The Gathering (Winchester)’s praise team. Through activities, crafts, small-group sessions, and worship, campers learned more about what it means to be called by God, to hear God’s voice, recognize it, and respond to his call.

Each camp had many fun games and activities throughout the weekend. Elementary Camp set up an indoor ‘ice rink’ for skating fun in socks and hockey games. Youth Camp had an exciting marshmallow snowball fight and played pancake games. Both groups also enjoyed the activities offered at Pine Creek, including rock wall climbing and Timber Rush (outdoor tubing).

The highlight of our weekend was a combined worship session in which campers and leaders participated in one of our favorite Brethren practices: Three-Fold Communion. The love feast meal consisted of brownie sundaes with toppings. Campers and leaders shared the bread and cup before washing one another’s feet. This can be an unfamiliar practice to youth who have not participated in a Three-Fold service before. After an explanation of what we were doing, how it is done, and sharing scripture, campers willingly participated and embraced one another with a hug once their feet were washed.

We would like to thank the following sponsors for helping with Winter Camp:

• Shenandoah Meadows, Inc., for their donation towards camp expenses.
• Mt. Olive Brethren Church for their fundraising towards camp costs.
• First Brethren Church of Oak Hill for sponsoring our rock wall climbing activity.
• The Gathering Church for sponsoring our pizza party on Friday evening.
• Brethren Academy for sponsoring our Three-Fold Communion service.
• The Gathering Church for providing the worship music, and their congregation for joining us on Sunday morning.

Looking ahead: Camp Kairos Summer Camp will be held Sunday, June 14th, through Friday, June 19th, at Potomac Park Retreat Center in Falling Waters, WV. All 3rd-12th graders are welcome to attend. If you are interested in serving as a leader, please contact Laura (laura@mtolivebrethren.org) or Chyann (chyann@mtolivebrethren.org).

As we reflect on Winter Camp, our hearts are full of gratitude. It was a blessing to witness friends getting to see one another again, new friendships made, and campers growing in their faith throughout the weekend.

Thank you to our campers who showed up with open hearts to learn more about God’s Call and were excited to participate in all of the planned activities. Thank you to our leaders for giving their time and talent to pour into the regional youth. And thank you to our churches and church leadership for their support, donations, and prayers for our youth and regional camp program, Camp Kairos.

We hope the lessons and relationships formed this week continue to shape the lives of our campers in the days ahead. We are looking forward to seeing everyone at Summer Camp!

Blessings,

Chyann Mackey (Youth Camp Director) and Laura Waldron (Elementary Camp Director)