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 How is New Ground Day Camp different from a traditional VBS program?
New Ground is an all-day program, intentionally designed to be a hands-on, active, experiential learning opportunity. Koinonia staff, in partnership with local leadership, provides programming for campers on Monday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and on Friday from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. New Ground Day Camp is designed with small group experiences (i.e., the camp counselor group of up to ten campers per camp counselor). This small group allows for relational experience and positive group interactions.
How do we know if our site is appropriate for a day camp program?
Most churches and schools make a great setting for a day camp. Activities can be organized to run inside or outside. Sites that have safe outdoor areas, or a nearby park, do more outdoor activities. Often indoor space is adjusted to be more “camp friendly”… such as taking down tables in the classrooms and using the floor. The New Ground Site Handbook, which will be distributed to all sites, has some specific check-lists to assist in making your facility safe. Most sites already meet the requirements and some sites simply need minor adjustments. The guidelines in the handbook come directly from standards set by the American Camp Association.
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How many staff (assistants, volunteers etc.) need to be provided by a congregation?
Koinonia will provide up to 4 program staff. The local congregation will need to provide a Site Coordinator, Pastor, and possibly several other volunteers. The Site Coordinator is the primary contact person and provides leadership with site volunteers as well as arranging details with Koinonia pertaining to the site. The Site Coordinator will need to be present throughout the week of camp. Other helpful local volunteers could include a kitchen coordinator, craft helper, and small group assistants for each counselor team (3). Each site will determine how many volunteers are needed and how to use the local volunteers. Because the Koinonia staff lead all program elements and provide primary camper supervision, volunteers can be a wide range of ages and serve in a variety of roles. New Ground Day Camp provides non-threatening opportunities to get new people involved who might otherwise stay in the background.
What will it cost our Congregation to hold New Ground Day Camp?
There are two basic congregational costs: 1) congregational site fee; and 2) housing and feeding of camp staff. top of page
 Congregational Fee:
Koinonia has been very fortunate to receive generous funding support through LDRNY in the development of New Ground Day Camp. While we no longer receive this grant support, it is Koinonia’s commitment to continue providing this day camp program as a congregational resource. It is Koinonia’s commitment to make New Ground Day Camp affordable for congregations. The summer 2011 New Ground Day Camp Site Fee will remain at $1,820.00 for one week.
Housing and feeding of camp staff:
A congregation will have up to a 4-person program staff team sent to their site from Sunday late afternoon to Friday noon. During this time, it is the site’s responsibility to provide housing and meals. The preferred method is through host families. We suggest housing the staff in pairs (or all together) at member’s homes. The homes could provide breakfast before they leave for the site, and the site would provide lunches in the same manner that lunches are provided for the campers. Dinner for the Koinonia staff could be with the host family … or have a different family each evening volunteer to invite the staff to dinner. This is a great way to involve more members of the congregation in a simple but essential element of the Day Camp ministry. By recruiting volunteers and donations a site can have no additional cost for housing and feeding.
How do we recruit campers for our New Ground Day Camp?
 Step-Out Awareness Events: Step-Out Awareness Events are designed to spread the good news of your congregation throughout your neighborhood. It is a way to assist you in recruiting campers and building community awareness.
Beyond the members of your own congregation, New Ground Day Camp is a wonderful way to invite new neighborhood families into your ministry. Through banners, flyers, and advertisements you can spread the word about this exciting camp. The Site Handbook has a variety of ideas for getting the word out. Hospitality is a key factor in site preparedness for neighborhood ministry. Many youth and families may come who do not have a “church background.” The program offers a Sunday evening get acquainted time when parents can meet the Pastor, Site Coordinator, and Camp Counselors. However, often the best hospitality is through informal conversation initiated between congregational volunteers and new families. New Ground Day Camp opens the doors for many new relationships as we create faith-filled communities together.
Can the youth of our congregation participate as counselors?
 Koinonia has become aware that at several sites older youth are interested in being involved in the New Ground Program. Participation in this program will provide leadership development for these youth. Koinonia will provide materials for recruiting up to four Jr. Counselors (ages 13 to 18) to assist with your local New Ground Day Camp. Jr. Counselors & Site Coordinator or Pastor will participate in a pre-camp orientation weekend retreat at Koinonia Highland Lake to learn skills which will make their involvement in New Ground Day Camp a positive growth experience. Each site will be responsible for covering the pre-retreat cost of $75 per Jr. Counselor and $50 per adult participate. During your week of camp, Koinonia summer staff will facilitate a Wednesday Night Youth Event at your site for Jr. Counselors and additional youth of that age-range.
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What are this year's available dates?
We will arrange with your congregation based on calendar availability.
Contact Information
For more information, or to connect into one of our existing ministries,
please contact us:
Register@KoinoniaNY.org
Phone: (800) 980 - 2267
Fax: (845) 557- 0517
Koinonia
• 165 Lakeview Drive• Highland Lake, NY 12743
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