What Christian Camp Means

RVR is a 'Christian Camp'?
What Does that Mean?

RVR’s mission is to cultivate a wholesome Christian environment where guests and staff may grow to their full God-given potential. This means that we believe all people have been created in God’s image and can have a personal relationship with Him through His son Jesus. We see the entire camp experience as one that shares the love of Jesus in both our words and actions. This is done through the formal communication that happens in our daily meetings/small groups and how well we love and care for each camper who comes to RVR. Our hope is that each camper will experience, as Jesus described it, “life to the fullest”!

How often do you have Bible lessons?

Each campus has an evening service where campers are encouraged to participate in singing worship songs and listening to a speaker present the Gospel message of Jesus (see below for more on what that includes). We also have a small group time where campers break up into their cabin groups to discuss what happened at the service and what they are learning at camp. During this time counselors answer questions and encourage the students to deepen their faith. If sensitive and/or controversial subjects arise during this time that become a distraction from our main discussion of the Gospel, we may redirect those discussions to another time and/or setting.

Do you force Christianity on the campers?

We are a Christian camp, and therefore teach Christian values from the Bible in our camping programs and activities. We also hire mature Christian staff, who we expect will model a Godly lifestyle that we hope campers will want to emulate. In each program, we will give campers the opportunity to make a decision to follow Jesus Christ and His example. However, we recognize that it is a personal choice to become a Christian, and fully respect each individual's decision. We do not force, nor use scare tactics, to try and make someone do something they don't want to do. If campers do decide to make a decision to follow Jesus, we encourage them to tell their parents when they get home.

How do you define the Gospel?

The overall definition of the Gospel means “good news” centered on the person of Jesus and what it looks like to have a relationship with Him. Our presentation walks the campers through four “chapters” that explain what a relationship with Jesus looks like. Here is a brief summary of the four chapters:

Chapter 1: Creation

There is a creator God who made us in His image. He loves us and wants us to have a personal relationship with Him. - (Gen 1:27,31; Ps 139:13; 1 John 3:1)

Chapter 2: Fall

Sin entered the world through Adam & Eve’s disobedience and has created a barrier between us and God. There is nothing we can do to restore that relationship through our own efforts. (Gen 3:6,7; Rom 5:12; Rom 3:23; Rom 6:23)

Chapter 3: Redemption

God loved us so much that He sent His son Jesus to die to redeem the world and restore our relationship to Himself. We can receive that redemption by confessing our sin to God and putting Jesus first in our lives. (John 3:16; Rom 10:13; Rom 5:11)

Chapter 4: Restoration

As a follower of Jesus, our priorities should be to love God and others. This begins with pursuing an active relationship with Jesus through regular reading of the Bible (God’s story about Jesus), prayer, and service to our community. We will also encourage campers to find a local church community where they continue to grow in their faith. (1 Cor 5:17; John 10:10; 1 John 4:11; 1 Cor 13:11; Heb 10:24-25)

Are you affiliated with any church or denomination?

RVR is part of Peter & John Radio Fellowship, a non-denominational 501 (c)(3) nonprofit ministry. Since we are non-denominational, we do not promote a particular denomination or church. This means it is our practice to present the simple message of the Gospel as found in the Bible, and teach Christian values, without promoting nor condemning any denomination or church.

RVR is a 'Christian Camp'?What Does that Mean?