Camp Conquest in Denver, Pa., is helping make sure that young people from inner city Philadelphia have a camping experience.
For the first time last year, the camp hosted 20 students from Metro Grace, a church-planting ministry with three active churches. These students came as a part of the regular camping program and were all underwritten by the Campership Fund.
They also planned a week with just students from Urban Hope, the inner city ministry sponsored by CE National. Friends of Camp Conquest raise more than $7,000 to pay for the rental and program fees for the children. Four local churches adopted a day to provide meals and one church donated buses.
The programs were so successful, that the camp is doing it again this year. “Metro Grace sent about 15 children to camp this year, mostly from the Comly Street Chapel. Urban Hope will be coming August 22,” says Michael Gehlert, executive director of Camp Conquest.
The children Metro Grace were integrated into the traditional camp program. “Camp Conquest Campership Fund covers 100 percent of the registration fees,” notes Gehlert. “This year the lead church planter, Pete Forshtay, came to camp as a volunteer to work alongside the camp counselors.”
The students from Urban Hope will be at the camp August 22 to 26.
“Urban Hope staff recruits volunteers to serve as counselors and program staff to offer the children a camp experience designed just for them,” adds Gehlert. “Camp Conquest provides program support staff and advice to help maximize the camp experience.” The camp also pays 100 percnetof the rental fees and the program staff fees out of the campership fund. As with last year, meals will be provided by local churches.
“The combined expense for Camp Conquest exceeds $10,000 for these two ministry outreach events,” says the director.
“This experience for our Urban Hope kids can be invaluable in their spiritual development, allowing them to experience the love of God in a safe, nurturing environment free from the distractions of daily urban life,” says Ed Lewis, executive director of CE National.