Summer Camp 2014 Publicity Guide
In this publicity guide, you will find...
Newsletter articles for your church’s newsletter (please detach that page and give it to the Editor of your church newsletter)
Bulletin blips for each Sunday this spring (please give these two pages to the person who puts together your church bulletin)
In this box, you will also find...
Summer camp brochures and posters
A summer staff application packet for you to give to a young person in your congregation (at least one year beyond high school graduation) who may be interested in a summer staff position at Bethelwoods
Bethelwoods, your camp and conference center, is offering seven weeks of fun, faith-building camps for children and youth in kindergarten through 12th grade. A large majority of all our campers come from the churches of Providence and Charleston Atlantic Presbyteries. Many churches have a long history of sending campers to Bethelwoods and providing scholarships to the members of their congregations.
We thank you for taking the time to see that the children and youth of your congregation have the chance to receive the benefits of a camp experience. Please use this promotional piece to help publicize camp in your church. You can best do this by using the Bulletin blips and the Newsletter articles on the attached pages (as well as the enclosed bulletin insert). The text for both of these promotional pieces can also be found on the Publicity Guide Digital Copy found on our website www.bethelwoods.org
Please make the summer camp brochures readily available by displaying them at your church. If you should ever run out of brochures, please contact us at the Bethelwoods office at or (803) 366-3722 and we will send more to you right away!
Remember that both Charleston Atlantic and Providence Presbyteries have scholarship funds for campers in our regions who would be otherwise unable to afford a summer camp experience. In order to apply for these scholarships, please email for more information.
In addition to publicizing the Bethelwoods summer camp program in your bulletin and newsletter, we offer the following suggestions and encourage you to adapt them to your own situation.
Steps to get your Children and Youth to Bethelwoods
Give the Bulletin blips (see the enclosed pages) to the person in charge of the Sunday bulletin at your church. There is one for each Sunday between February 2nd and June 1st.
Give the Newsletter articles (see the enclosed page) to your church newsletter editor.
Pick a week (or weeks) for children and youth at your church to attend camp at the same time.
Have the church set a goal of how many campers you want to send to camp this summer.
Choose a Sunday to promote as “Camp Sign-Up Sunday” (see details below). While “Camp and Conference Emphasis Sunday” for our denomination may have passed, there are still worship materials available online at http://www.pcusa.org/resource/2012-camp-conference-sunday-materials/ to assist with highlighting the value of camp ministry.
Offer and promote scholarship assistance to children and youth in your congregation and surrounding neighborhoods.
Invite a Bethelwoods staff person to visit your church to give a presentation and talk to your children and parents about the summer program.
Helpful Hints for Camp Displays
Create displays using pictures of former campers, and any special mementos they might have of their experiences. Past Bethelwoods campers could wear their camp t-shirts to church.
Involve past campers to create posters, collages, banners, etc.
Have past campers write short articles to describe what a week of camp means to them. You can also display pictures or art work done by these campers.
Make a “thermometer” to show the progress being made toward your goal of camper sign-ups.
Helpful Hints for your “Camp Sign-up Day”
Have a “Camp Sign-Up Day” on Sunday (or another day if more desirable) to kickoff or give a boost to the registration of campers. You may want to emphasize particular weeks during the summer when groups of campers from your church would attend at the same time.
Use the Bulletin insert with the Bethelwoods summer schedule (included with this sheet). If you are unable to locate it, there is one included on the Publicity Guide Digital Copy CD or contact the camp office at or (803) 366-3722 to receive your copy-ready master.
Select one or two enthusiastic campers from past summers to share their experiences at camp with your congregation.
Set up a tent in front of the church with a sign announcing “Camp Sign-up Sunday.”
Have a designated camp sign-up table.
Invite a Bethelwoods staff person to visit that day to answer any questions related to the summer program.
We thank you for your continued support of the summer camp ministry of Bethelwoods!
Summer camp brochures, extra registration forms, and summer staff applications are all available at our website:
www.bethelwoods.org
For the Newsletter Editor
Digital copy available online at www.bethelwoods.org
Please feel free to include the following articles in your church newsletter. Thank you for your support of the ministry of Bethelwoods!
FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER ARTICLE
REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE FOR BETHELWOODS SUMMER CAMP
Bethelwoods, your Presbyterian camp and conference center, is pleased to announce that registration for the 2014 summer camp program is now available. You can go to www.bethelwoods.org to see all the programs that are available for children and youth in Kindergarten through 12th grade and register online. You have the option of printing out a registration form from the website and registering by mail. The 2014 summer camp brochures are available at the church. To get your first choice of the program offerings, pick up a brochure or go to www.bethelwoods.org today. If you have any questions, please contact the camp office at or (803) 366-3722.
MARCH NEWSLETTER ARTICLE
SPRING BREAK DAY CAMP
Spring Break is just around the corner. Spring Break Day Camp is a great way to experience camp for the first time or enjoy everything you loved about camp during the school year. Spring Break Day Camp is open for children grades kindergarten through 6th grade. The day starts at 7:45am and ends at 5:30pm. Cost per child is $100 for the week or $25 for the day. Join us for a fun, high energy week of playing outside, canoeing, arts and crafts, games and more. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are provided.
Don’t forget to sign up for summer camp! Registration is now open. Register online at www.bethelwoods.org for summer camp and spring break day camp.
APRIL NEWSLETTER ARTICLE
REGISTER EARLY FOR BETHELWOODS!
Have you taken time to look at the summer camp programs offered at Bethelwoods? While June and July may seem a long way off, the staff at Bethelwoods is already gearing up for another exciting summer filled with fun and spiritual growth. Bethelwoods offers a variety of programs for campers who have completed Kindergarten-12th grade. Whether you are a first-time camper or a veteran senior high, there is something for everyone at Bethelwoods! If you register and pay in full before May 1st you will receive the Early Bird Discount. To sign up for camp, pick up a brochure and send in your registration today or visit www.bethelwoods.org to register online. Make your plans now to have camp be a part of your summer. Camp brochures can be found at the church or contact the Bethelwoods office at or (803) 366-3722.
MAY NEWSLETTER ARTICLE
SUMMER IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER! HAVE YOU REGISTERED FOR CAMP YET?
With the summer fast approaching, camp is just around the corner! Plans are well underway for another great summer at Bethelwoods, and we want you to be a part of the fun. The programs this summer have something for everyone- outrageous games, creative worship, fun in the pool, new friends, cookouts, campfires, and conversations that will help you discover what God has done and is doing in your life. For the more adventurous camper, Bethelwoods offers several programs that emphasize having fun in the outdoors. Adventure camps this summer include Riverwalkers, Rock Hike and Raft, and Woodwise. Many camps fill early so register today! Camp brochures are available at the church or go online at www.bethelwoods.org. You can also contact Bethelwoods at or (803) 366-3722 for additional information.
JUNE NEWSLETTER ARTICLE
SUMMER CAMP FUN BEGINS.
Hang up the school backpacks and put away the books because summer is here! It is time to make sure that you have your children and youth signed up for the program of their choice at Bethelwoods. There is so much fun to be had, and you don’t want to miss out on the valuable experiences that Bethelwoods has to offer. Camp programs provide a variety of activities and adventures including swimming, hiking, canoeing, archery, games, arts and crafts, cookouts, and meeting new friends. These activities are all centered on daily Bible study and worship. There is still time to sign up for an experience that your son or daughter will always remember. Camp brochures are available at your church or you can register online at www.bethelwoods.org. If you have questions or would like to request information, please contact Bethelwoods at or 803-366-3722.
For the Church Bulletin Editor
Digital copy available online at www.bethelwoods.org
Please feel free to include the following Bulletin blips in your church bulletin (you can make changes in the order they appear). Thank you for your support of the ministry of Bethelwoods!
FEBRUARY 2nd
The 2014 Bethelwoods Summer Camp brochures have arrived and are ready to go and registration is now open!! Register online at www.bethewloods.org or by mailing in the registration form in the brochure. Bethelwoods offers programs for all ages and interests. You can pick up your camp brochures here at the church or go to www.bethelwoods.org. If you have any questions, please contact the camp office ( or 803-366-3722).
FEBRUARY 9th
Are you ready for the summer? It seems like a long way off, but soon you will be trading in that jacket you are wearing for a swim suit. Online registration is once again available for the Bethelwoods summer camp program. You can see all the programs that are available and register by making a secure payment with a credit card. Bethelwoods has many fun and meaningful experiences to offer. Pick up a camp brochure here at church or go to www.bethelwoods.org for more information.
FEBRUARY 16th
Are you looking for an adventure? Take a look at the adventure trips at Bethelwoods. Programs can take you rock climbing, white water rafting, canoeing, hiking and more! All participants who are 12 or older will get to take the challenge and traverse the high ropes course at Bethelwoods. For more information about this and other exciting programs, find a camp brochure here at church or go to www.bethelwoods.org.
FEBRUARY 23rd
Come experience Bethelwoods for the first time! Day Camp, Explorer Camp, and Tenderfoot Camp are for those who have completed Kindergarten through 3rd grade. These camps provide a safe, meaningful camping experience for those who are a little unsure of what camp might be like. Read about these exciting programs in a summer camp brochure here at church or register online at www.bethelwoods.org.
MARCH 2nd
What are your plans for spring break? Bethelwoods offers Spring Break Day Camp April 14-18 for children grades K5-6th. Join us for a fun week filled with games, canoeing, arts and crafts, songs, and delicious meals. Day camp runs 7:45am- 5:30 daily. Weekly and daily rates available. For more information and registration visit www.bethelwoods.org or by calling our office 803.366.3722.
MARCH 9th
Do you know a college student who is good with kids and is looking for a fun and rewarding summer experience? Bethelwoods is always looking for good people in your church community to be summer camp counselors to help make summer camp a success. If you know someone, please direct them to www.bethelwoods.org where they can download application packets or have them contact Bethelwoods at 803-366-3722 for more information.
MARCH 16th
Do you enjoy spending the days outdoors and playing sports? Bethelwoods offers the Team Sports Camp where 6th-8th graders learn and play a different sport each morning and enjoy their favorite camp activities in the afternoon. Brochures are available here at the church or you can register online at www.bethelwoods.org.
MARCH 23rd
Camp does kids a world of good! Make new friends, gain confidence, and enjoy the outdoors at Bethelwoods Summer Camps. We make Bible study and worship come alive in a whole new way. Register online at www.bethelwoods.org or pick up a brochure here at the church. You can also contact the Bethelwoods office at or at 803-366-3722. There is still time to register for Spring Break Day Camp April 14-18.
March 30
A great program for a creative son or daughter is the Bethelwoods Music, Art, Drama, and Dance (MADD) Camp for both elementary and junior high/senior high youth. These campers use their artistic talents to create a show in just one week! Learn more about these exciting experiences by finding a brochure here at the church, online at www.bethelwoods.org, or by contacting Bethelwoods at or 803-366-3722.