Exodus Program
Brookwoods, Deer Run and Moose River Outpost are pleased to announce a new one-week summer program, The Exodus Program, which will begin this summer and run from August 9th to the 15th.
The program will give first enrollment priority to those who are starting college or university in September 2009. Others starting college in future years, or already attending will be admitted as space is available.
The intent of the program is to help prepare future college students for the transition between High School and College, the great “exodus” in life from the safe environment at home to a unique, sometimes hostile, environment at college. In between typical camp activities such as Plum Island, the Blob, Mt. Major and evening camp fires, will be Bible Studies and sessions about a very important time of life, when Mom and Dad's support structure is back at home and decisions will be made without their daily guidance.
The Exodus program was designed as the direct result of research regarding students’ faith development as they transition from high school through college. In addition to research investigating students’ transition through their freshmen year of college, this program relies heavily on insights and information gathered from former Brookwoods/ Deer Run LDPs, as they made their way through their freshman year.
The specific program components of Exodus developed from suggestions by former LDPs as well as current youth pastors. Exodus primary focus is on every student developing a deeper relationship with God, who is presented as the One who leads, surrounds, and protects each one’s move into new “territory” - the university campus. The secondary program goal is to further develop a lasting community among our Exodus staff and participants, specifically underscoring the need for communal support during the first several months of college. During the week experience, the theological “rocks” of God and community are reinforced through wilderness experiences, teaching, and discussions. Finally, specific gatherings focus on pertinent issues such as managing time, developing solid friendships, dealing with loneliness, adjusting to the college “climate,” negotiating roommate concerns, and locating campus fellowship groups and a local church.
Exodus is directed by Dr. Cheryl Crawford, whose recent PhD dissertation at Fuller Theological Seminary focused on students’ faith development as they transitioned from high school through their college freshman year. Cheryl has served at Brookwoods/Deer Run for more than 30 years, and brings a deep knowledge of camp traditions as well as a current understanding of high school/college issues. Our Exodus counseling staff has been hand-picked for their experience with students and university issues, their desire and ability to develop meaningful relationships with students and their spiritual maturity.
The cost of this one-week program is $225, and we will have room for only 24 participants this summer.
If you are interested in this program, you can download an application by clicking here: http://www.christiancamps.net/downloadables/2009exodusapplication.pdf
Exodus will be held at the Brookwoods and Deer Run location in New Hampshire.
For additional information about this new program, please contact Bob Strodel at bob@christiancamps.net
