Episcopal Camps & Conf Centers

Tomorrow is our Episcopal 101 Leaders Circle! 📝⛪💚 Join the Rev. Laura Rezac (of St. Christopher Camp & Conference Center fame) to explore what it truly means to be an Episcopal camp or conference center. This session is the perfect entry point for newcomers to understand our faith, traditions, and the “why” behind our mission of hospitality. Find out more and register at the 🔗 in our bio!

Be sure to join us tomorrow (April 28th) for our first Leaders Circle of the Spring! 📝🏕️ Jeffrey Lyngaas of the Church Insurance Agency Corporation will be reviewing with us the insurance essentials of hosting outside groups safely. We’ll break down rental agreements, insurance must-haves, and answer your pressing questions to make sure your hospitality season is safely supported. Find out more and register at the 🔗 in our bio!

Happy Earth Day from ECCC 🌎💚 Here are some of our favorite places across this beautiful planet 🏕️ God, maker of marvels, you weave the planet and all its creatures together in kinship; your unifying love is revealed in the interdependence of relationships in the complex world that you have made. Save us from the illusion that humankind is separate and alone, and join us in communion with all inhabitants of the universe; through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, who topples the dividing walls by the power of your Holy Spirit, and who lives and reigns with you, for ever and ever. Amen. - @theepiscopalchurch Liturgical Materials for Honoring God in Creation

Last week, Jess was at the OMC Education Summit at DaySpring! 📚🎉🏕️ The Outdoor Ministries Connection (OMC) Council, which ECCC is a part of, invited the planning team for Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Leadership Training Event (LTE) and the ecumenical professional development coordinating council for Compass Points to join them in a time of shared planning and visioning. Together, participants explored opportunities to strengthen and expand educational offerings for leaders at all levels within camp and retreat ministries across Canada and the United States.

This week, Megan caught up with Camp Stevens at the ACA Spring Leadership Conference! 🌴🏕️ Staff from Camp Stevens shared their experiences and wisdom with the ACA community through workshops on leadership, transitions, and youth development. They also guided a few identity-based affinity groups. Megan was very excited to cheer them on!

To close out a wonderful week of celebrating camp, let us pray the same prayer that so many of our camps end their days with - Compline and the Song of Simeon: Lord, you now have set your servant free, to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people Israel. 💚🏕️ [Image ID: Doodles of bubbles surrounding the prayer in the caption. The background picture is of the cross and footpath through the dunes to the beach at St. Christopher, South Carolina. End Image ID]

Deacons & Priests & a Bishop, oh my! Our final All Stars of Camp Week 2026 are the incredible chaplains at EpiscoWisco Camp🌟🏕️ "We are so blessed to have many camp-loving clergy at EpiscoWisco Camp (and in DIOWIS)! Our chaplains, who are all volunteers, are actively involved in helping with the planning of camper sessions for both teach times and liturgies. They are excellent at helping foster an environment of curiosity, wonder, and helping connect ancient texts to modern day, while also highlighting how we can live out our faith at camp and when we go home. Our campers genuinely enjoy serving alongside the chaplains in several elements of daily Eucharist and prayer, which helps build confidence and provides a sense of ownership in camper's faith lives that is unique to the camp experience. Outside of worship, our chaplains love to join campers and the rest of the staff for games, crafts, waterfront time, hikes, birding, pastoral care check-ins and more!" [Image ID: A six-photo collage of the chaplains at EpiscoWisco. They are all in a wooden chapel or dining hall, mostly praying or teaching campers. All of them are wearing camp clothes - tshirts with shorts or pants - under their stoles, if they are wearing stoles. One deacon is also wearing a Darth Vader helmet. Above the photo, it says, “Camp All-Star, Camp Chaplains, EpiscoWisco Camp” On the border of the image are colorful stars. End image ID]

"For me, camp has been an example of when we are at our best, held in love, offered a safe space and believed in, we can change the world. Summer Camp is the opportunity for children, staff, and community to see what their life can look like when they live authentically. When I think about how I should be treated at work or by friends, I think about camp. When I think about leading in values, I envision camp. Simply put, when I work for a better world, I am dreaming of what I lived at camp." What has your camp experience meant to you? Let us know in the comments below ⬇️ [Image ID: A teal blue rectangle that reads, "What has your camp experience meant to you? For me, camp has been an example of when we are at our best, held in love, offered a safe space and believed in, we can change the world." Behind the image is a picture of the cross and footpath through the dunes to the beach at St. Christopher, South Carolina. There are white doodles of flying birds in the sky and flowers along the bottom border. End Image ID]

The final night of a session is unparalleled in the halls of camp memories. With the morning departures on the horizon, it becomes even more important to hold the community close for one last night. To honor this feeling and their week, Paradise Point holds their Stick Ceremony. "The Stick Ceremony is one of the most beloved and magical traditions at Paradise Point Camp. It’s how we close each session… and it’s never just a campfire. On the final night, every camper chooses a small stick and dedicates it before tossing it into the fire. Some are heartfelt: 'This stick is for my amazing counselor.' Some are silly: 'This stick is for the time my friend ate cheese and it was really funny.' And some are quiet moments, where a camper simply tosses their stick in without saying a word. Every single one belongs. One by one, the fire fills with laughter, gratitude, inside jokes, tears, and the kind of memories that only happen at camp. After the campers, staff step forward to share their own dedications. Then we let everyone in on a little bit of Paradise Point magic: each summer, our very first fire is lit using ashes saved from the final fire of the summer before. The memories don’t end… they carry on. To close, we 'seal the memories' with a sprinkle of fairy dust, circle up shoulder to shoulder, and sing our final songs. Voices blend, a few tears sneak in, and the night ends the only way it should… with 'Linger.'" [Image ID: Campers and staff standing in a large circle around a fire at the edge of a lake. The sunset lights up the sky with cotton candy pink, yellow, and purple. The image is titled, "Camp Highlight: The Stick Ceremony at Paradise Point." The picture has a golden yellow highlight stripe behind it. End Image ID]

“I’m grateful for the increased housing accommodations and commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community for both campers and adults. It meant a lot to be able to come to camp as my full self and not have to hide any part of me in a churchy space.” This freedom is so special and so valuable. Everyone should feel like their full self belongs at camp 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏕️ [Image ID: A speech bubble, labeled "Quotes!" that says, "It meant a lot to be able to come to camp as my full self and not have to hide any part of me in a churchy space.” The quote is from an LGBTQ+ camper parent and new staffer. The background picture is of the cross and footpath through the dunes to the beach at St. Christopher, South Carolina. There are white doodles of flying birds in the sky and flowers along the bottom border. End Image ID]

For the camp magic she brings, our next All Star is Katie Sullivan from St. Christopher! ✨🏕️ From St. Christopher: "Katie meets everyone she interacts with with such intentionality and grace, and has never met a stranger. From campers and students, to parents and teachers, she always goes the extra mile for our guests to have those once in a lifetime moments. As Director of Student Ministries, Katie juggles many tasks and a pretty permanent "busy season" but always is up for the task. She is the glue that keeps our student ministries (Barrier Island Education Program and Camp Saint Christopher) together and running smoothly. She's behind the scenes, working with every department, to ensure that campers and students have the opportunity to experience the magic of all things St. Christopher. Above all, Katie is a joy to work alongside and is the heart of our student ministries department in so many ways. St. Christopher is a better place because she's here." [Image ID: A sunny headshot of Katie at St. Christopher. She has long brown hair and a beaming smile. Above the photo, it says, “Camp All-Star, Katie Sullivan, St. Christopher Camp & Conference Center.” On the border of the image are colorful stars. End image ID]

Good morning last day of Camp Week! 🏕️🎉 Please pray with us Almighty God, you tell us in your word that since you walk in the midst of our camp, it shall be holy. Therefore gracious Lord, we pray that our camps provide a place of refuge, a peaceful and holy environment where you will continue to walk amongst our guests and campers; that they will know you are there alongside them, loving them and providing guidance and strength in their lives. Oh God, it is only because of your presence in our lives and camps that we can serve in a way that points the way to your son our Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you, Lord, for your presence, provision, and your peace. And for the life of the world to come. Amen. - Written by Joy and Alton Below [Image ID: Doodles of bubbles surrounding the first sentence from the prayer in the caption. The background picture is of the cross and footpath through the dunes to the beach at St. Christopher, South Carolina. End Image ID]