Greetings!

In considering Bethany Birches Camp for summer 2009 there are some things you should know.  First, read what Katie Moyer, counselor in 2005 and Program Specialiste in 2006 and 2007 has to share:

“A few thoughts on why BBC is awesome...

To be honest, I'm not sure exactly why I chose Bethany Birches, God knows more about that one than I do.  While I cannot tell you exactly how I got there, I can tell you what I loved and why I'm planning on going back.

Bethany Birches is a very small camp located in Vermont, 25 minutes from the closest grocery store and 15 minutes from the closest cell phone reception.  Our entire staff, including executive director and program director, was only 12 people.  There were some campers from local churches, but even more who didn't go to church.  We cooked 3 meals a day over a fire, and swam regularly in the pond.  I would not hesitate to call BBC rustic. If you are looking for a camp with a large staff, or campers who have been raised in churches and know all the stories, or a place where there is lots to do on weekends, you should probably look somewhere else.  You won't find those things at Bethany Birches.  What you will find, however, is a staff who becomes very close very early in the summer.  You will find campers who ask honest questions and are excited to learn new stories and songs about God.  You will find campers who come from difficult home situations and more than anything simply need to be shown the kind of love that they have so rarely experienced.  During my summer at Bethany Birches, I made close friends, I got to know myself better, and most importantly, I got to know God better.”

Program

Many of our campers come to us from social service agencies and from local families who do not regularly attend church. We are an outreach ministry since it is here that many campers first hear of Jesus’ unconditional love. We try to be an image of Christ for the campers in our daily interactions so that they can come to know him through us as we have fun together at camp.  Bethany Birches Camp is rustic with a perspective of learning and leading through adventure.   

Counselors are responsible for 4-8 campers when at the shelter site---cooking meals, doing Bible study, leading interest groups (crafts, hikes etc.) and helping create a lived experience of Christian community. We swim in the pond, explore the woods along nature trails, worship, and enjoy team building on our low ropes course. Some activities are done with the whole camp, but many are done by shelter group so that intimate relationships can be formed. A week-long orientation the third week of June, prior to the arrival of campers gives staff an opportunity to learn the skills needed to be a successful counselor including how to build a fire and cook on it, first aid, and leading devotions. 

Each week, the campers arrive on Sunday afternoon and go home on Friday evening. There is a two year age span each week--- 8 and 9 year olds the first week, 9 and 10 year olds the second week etc.  Summer 2008 will end the 2nd week of August with 14-18 yr. olds. 

Compensation

We pay counselors $110/week for the summer (8 weeks). Room and board is provided to all summer staff and volunteers, some non-counseling positions are paid differently.  We have a Staff Support Fund, and it works as a matching grant.  You raise a dollar, we match it up to $320 total or $40/week.  If counselors return for a second summer, there is college scholarship money available.  You may raise as much money as you want in addition to the money we match.  However, you will only be able to receive $2000 total for the summer.  Any extra money you have raised will go toward the cost of operating camp.  Most weekends are yours to do what you will.  One weekend will be designated for a staff outing and one Sunday we will host a church service in which many local churches are invited.  You should be here from the 3rd week in June through the 2nd week in August for a total of 8 weeks.

Please contact me for information or to ask any questions that may help your discerning process.

Click here to view current opportunities! 

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Brandon Bergey, Executive Director