A kaleidoscope of exciting activities makes Pine Springs Ranch Christian Camp an outstanding summer camp program. Water polo, rock climbing, board sports, small engine racing, musical productions and marine exploration provide campers with new challenges. And they can still count on the traditional pleasures of swimming, horseback riding and camp fire stories.

But excitement is not the only thing that makes summer camp outstanding. “Camp is more than having fun with a few spiritual lessons tacked on,” said Manuel Vitug, summer camp director and associate youth director for children’s ministries in the Southeastern California Conference (SECC). “Our most important goal is to disciple.” Worship, prayer, exploring the Word of God and ministry are woven throughout the camp experience.

Revamping Camping

Of the 1,000 young people who came to PSR in 2005, more than 320 rededicated their lives to Christ. Approximately 250 also declared their decision to seek baptism in their local churches.

“Last year, for the first time, we offered teen campers a class in ‘D/ship’ [discipleship]. They loved it,” Vitug said. Building on this success, Marc Woodson, another SECC associate youth director, will lead a new class this summer—N/S.H.A.P.E—designed to help teens discover their spiritual gifts.

Ministry will be part of the very fabric of camp life this year, as blind children are integrated with sighted campers. “We will learn from them and they will learn from us,” Vitug said. Another new ministry will support kids whose parents are divorced. “If the pilot program works, we will expand it in the future."

Innovation, advertising and hard work have increased PSR summer camp attendance by 15 to 20 percent each year. Total enrollment last summer exceeded 1,000, up from 650 in 2002. “We’ve built on the tradition of excellence set by previous directors,” Vitug noted.

Teen camp was once the smallest group with 100 or fewer. It has now doubled in size. Mini-camps for Pathfinder and Adventurers attract entire clubs to PSR where a variety of honors are taught. For the third year, the season will conclude with a “Youth Spirit Fest” designed especially for Adventists attending public high schools.

“We will continue to revamp camp in the new millennium to meet changing needs,” Vitug concluded. “But our core purpose is to help young people build a relationship with Christ.”

For camp information, phone 951-509-2266. Early registration discount ends May 31.