Laity Lodge Family Camp — Goal: $8,500,000 — Raised to Date: $8,537,766
From the newborn infant to the most seasoned adult, from different cultures and languages to one family in God’s kingdom, we were able to come together to live, play, clean, and share; to celebrate and to pray as we all encountered God. - a Family Camp participant
Family camps can be highly motivating and empowering experiences for families and can act as a tremendous catalyst toward change within a family system. Given the success of our current Family Camp program, expansion is underway to include new camp facilities designed to meet the unique needs of today’s families.
We received a generous $800,000 challenge grant commitment from the J. E. and L. E. Mabee Foundation of Tulsa, Oklahoma, to complete the fundraising campaign. There is one important stipulation. We must raise all remaining funds by the end of the year to claim these funds.
Since we began the program in September 2007, we have held 27 Family Camp sessions and served more than 275 families. Nearly 40% of the families have returned for a second and, in some cases, a third session. A new facility dedicated to families will alleviate the concerns we have about growth and quality of programming.
The use of existing facilities for Family Camp has been a great way to build capacity. Yet they are not ideal for a number of reasons. It has meant diminishing the number of youth we can serve in the Foundation Free Camps by as many as 2,000 boys and girls a year who could not afford camp without this program. Growth of Family Camp in these facilities would further displace young people who rely on the Free Camps. The existing facilities were built to serve school-aged boys and girls. The cabins are not air-conditioned and are filled with bunk beds to accommodate 15 to 20 youth. These conditions are especially difficult for families with infants and toddlers or those bringing grandparents.
After a full year of operations in the new Family Camp facilities, we expect to reach up to 700 families annually—approximately 2,800 individuals (more than four times the current annual numbers).
To meet a breadth of need, we will engage in tiered programming 36 weekends and 11 full weeks a year. Program levels are planned as follows:
- Fully Programmed Family Camps include food service, linen service, housekeeping, and fully planned and staffed activities. These camps will be fee-based with a percentage of families receiving scholarships.
- Community-Based Family Camps (churches, schools, and nonprofit organizations): With these camps, fee structure/programming will vary based on the needs of the organization. For example, campers may need food service but no program staff.
- Free Family Camps will be available with no fee for facility use when qualified groups bring their own food and program. Funding for this program will fall under the Foundation Free Camp annual operating budget.
Given our 40-plus year history with camping and retreating, we are uniquely positioned to ensure success with the construction and year-round operation of this new program.
