What is our Purpose?
Our purpose is to "Reach Youth for Christ." We do this through exciting worship, engaging speakers, energizing small groups, & extreme fun in a Christ-filled environment.
Summer Camp Theme: Center Stage
CENTER STAGE: It is our desire to put Jesus Christ on the “Center Stage” of our lives. Too often, we put our selves first, others second and God last. In Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” This summer we will seek to rekindle our love for Jesus and our passion for loving and serving others for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
JAM Camp (Jr. High)
June 24-28, 12 - $275 / Grades 6th thru 8th / Mt. Wesley Retreat Center, Kerrville TX
Speaker: Rev. Ray Altman. Worship Leaders: Mark Swayze, Hucakabee & Stewart Band
CAMP HIGHLIGHTS: Energizing worship, Camo Night (bring camouflage to wear), Water Wars, "Movie Star Madness" theme party (come dressed as your favorite movie or rock star), ultimate frisbee, small groups, swimming, new friends, get to know God.
A good ole' traditional Mt. Wesley summer camp with a few new surprises!
* Please no drop-offs sooner than 6 PM Sunday.
* Closing worship is at 10:30 AM. Pick-up is noon Thursday. Parents invited to closing.
BEACH Camp (Jr. and Sr. High Mixed)
July 9-12, 12 - $275 / Grades 6th thru 12th / Port Royal, Port Aransas TX
A new combined SWTC-University UMC San Antonio Beach Trip to Port Aransas!
Grades 6th thru 12th (small groups and sleeping divided by age groups)
Speaker: Rev. Josh Arrington. Worship Leader: Mark Swayze
CAMP HIGHLIGHTS: Awesome worship, fun in the sun at Port Aransas, meet folks from other churches, volleyball, stay in condos with your small group & adult leaders, make new friends, renew your relationship with Christ. A powerful, Spirit-filled beach retreat on the coast.
* Please no drop-offs sooner than 12 PM noon on Monday.
* Closing worship is at 10:30 AM. Pick-up is noon Thursday. Parents invited to closing.
QUEST Camp (Sr. High)
July 15-19, 12 - $275 / Grades 9th thru 12th / Mt. Wesley Retreat Center, Kerrville TX
Speaker: Rev. Ryan Barnett. Worship Leaders: Mark Swayze, Huckabee & Stewart Band
CAMP HIGHLIGHTS: Energizing worship, Camo Night (bring camouflage to wear), Water Wars, "Movie Star Madness" theme party (come dressed as your favorite movie or rock star), ultimate frisbee, small groups, swimming, new friends, get to know God. A good ole' traditional Mt. Wesley summer camp with a few new surprises!
* Please no drop-offs sooner than 6 PM Sunday.
* Closing worship is at 10:30 AM. Pick-up is noon Thursday. Parents invited to closing.
Emergency Numbers:
Mt. Wesley Retreat Center - 830.895.5700, Port Royal Ocean Resort - 361.749.5011
Rev. Rusty Freeman, 210.382.4581. SWTC Office, 210.408.4538, 210.408.4553 Fax
Where Are Our Camps?
Two camps are at Mt. Wesley Retreat Center, 610 Methodist Encampment Rd, Kerrville, TX (for directions - www.mountwesley.org), and one is at Port Royal Ocean Resort, 6317 State Highway 36, Port Aransas, TX (for directions - www.port-royal.com).
Conference Office in San Antonio: The Southwest Texas Conference United Methodist Church Council on Youth Ministries, Office of Youth Ministry, 16400 Huebner Rd., San Antonio, TX 78248
Cost.Scholarships.Registration
$275 for all summer camps. Scholarships are available at the District or Conference offices or by contacting your local church pastor or youth leader. Deadline for registration is 10 working days prior to start of camp. Late registrations must pay an extra $20. Refunds are for emergencies only and exclude a $20 processing fee.
Age Requirement & Start Times
Jr. High camps include youths entering 6th, 7th and 8th grades. Sr. High camps are for youths entering 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades. Mt. Wesley camps begin at 6 PM on Sunday start date & ends at noon on a Thursday. Beach Camp begins at noon on Monday and ends Thursday. Parents are invited to closing worship at 10:30 AM Thursday for all camps.
Adult Staff & Work Crew
Adult Staff, college age and older, are welcome to attend with youth from their church and must complete the 5 Faithful Steps below. Students, ages 16 to 19, who wish to serve on Work Crew must complete the 5 Faithful Steps and a Work Crew Letter of Agreement (www.reachingyouth.org/summercamps.html).
The 5 Faithful Steps: 1.) All staff must complete a camp registration form, 2) A SWTC background check, 3) Contact SWTC Youth Event Coordinator (Becky Jackson - bjack143@aol.com), 4) Receive a certification in “Child Protection Training” (CPT video available at camp), and 5) Be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. Staff attend at $150 each. (No underage children please.) (Servant Team complete a separate application and are selected March 1st. Work Crew serve one week at a time while Servant Team commit to serving the entire summer.)
What To Bring?
Please bring bedding, personal toiletries, modest swim wear (please no two piece or halter tops), clothes to get dirty, a Bible, notebook, pencil, sun screen, flash light, shoes for hiking, pennies for Youth Service Fund, bug repellent, camera and hat. Please do not to bring the following items: water balloons, water guns, iPods, cell phones, expensive jewelry, or pocket knives. Campers may bring additional money for snack bar or band CD.
Contact Info
Events Questions: Becky Jackson, SWTC Youth Events Coordinator, 512.734.3960, bjack143@aol.com, or Patty Chebultz, SWTC Youth Ministry Assistant, 210.408.4538, pattyc@umcswtx.org
Registration Questions: Cynthia Bedford, SWTC Registrar, 210.408.4527, cynthiab@umcswtx.org (PDF forms or online registration at Reachingyouth.org)
Additional Questions or Scholarships Info: Dr. Rusty Freeman, SWTC Director of Youth, 210.382.4581, rhf143@gmail.com
