An Amazing Camp Experience Awaits You!

Baltimore Dakota Learning Camps 

 

by Chrystie Adams

Have you considered becoming a part of one of the four Baltimore Dakota Learning Camps this summer?  Since 2003, the partnership between the Baltimore and Dakota Presbyteries has been a source of spiritual growth, joy and renewed and new friendships between the Presbytery of Baltimore and our friends in the Dakota Presbytery. Our partnership was formalized in 2010 and renewed in 2015. Our mission  is to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ by honoring and nurturing the lives of children, youth and adults through educational partnerships with the ministries of the Native American churches, which comprise the Dakota Presbytery.

As such, the BDLC 2018 season offers a variety of camps. Members of any Presbytery of Baltimore church are welcome to be a part of one of these camps either as a camper or a staff member.  Since the BDLC partnership began, members of 22 Baltimore Presbytery congregations have experienced BDLC summer camps; and we hope to have new faces join our returning campers and staff members this summer. Read on to consider whether God is calling you to be a part of this amazing journey.

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Sisseton Family Learning Camp

 (Lake Traverse Reservation in Agency Village, SD)

This family learning camp is a newly restarted program and offers many staff and camper positions. The youth group of Chestnut Grove Presbyterian Church will form the nucleus of this camp. They will be joined by folks from Govans Presbyterian Church and several other congregations in our Presbytery.  This learning camp will be held at the Veterans  Community Youth Center in Agency Village in conjunction with their summer youth program, which supports about 120 Dakota children and youth.  Families and teens will stay at the Tiospa Zina Tribal School and older adults will be a part of the NAMA's (Non Air Mattress Adults) and will stay at the Holiday Motel.  Children ages five and up through elementary grades will be campers and youth in middle and high school and adults will be counselors and learning station leaders.   Staff interviews will help determine the best placement for youth and adults. The Dakota Presbytery churches in the Sisseton area will partner with our Baltimore Presbytery folks to offer worship time, meals and evening cultural activities.

July 14 - 21  Contact Molly Durant   (412.523.1627).

   

Pejuhutazizi Family Learning Camp 

(Upper Sioux Community in Granite Falls, MN)

This is the first BDLC Family Learning Camp and it will be in its sixth season this summer.  The camp, smaller than most others, supports the Upper Sioux Community Youth Summer Program of about 25 campers.  Children ages five and up through middle school grades will be campers and youth in high school and adults will be counselors and learning station leaders. Families stay at the Upper Sioux Community Center and older adults (NAMA's - Non Air Mattress Adults) will stay at the Super Motel in Granite Falls. Staff interviews will help determine the best placement for youth and adults. The Pejuhutazizi Presbyterian Church in the Upper Sioux will partner with our Baltimore Presbytery folks to offer worship time, staff support, meals and evening cultural activities.  July 28 - August 4  Contact Chrystie Adams  (443.474.2200).

   

The Porcupine Bible Camp

 (Pine Ridge Reservation in Porcupine, SD) 

This camp offers an opportunity to be a part of a more traditional Vacation Bible School camp. This is the Porcupine Camp's third year as a Bible camp; however, it has operated for seven summers. Baltimore Presbytery staff members can be rising 10th graders to adults. The Baltimore Presbytery staff will be partnering with the Porcupine Presbyterian members who will support the camp with worship, staff support, meals and cultural activities. Staff interviews will help determine the best placement for youth and adults. The camp staff all stay at the Lakota Prairie Ranch Resort.  July 20 - 27  Contact Claudia Scarborough (410.459.7946).  

 

The Ihanktonwan Learning Camp 

(Yankton Sioux Reservation/

 Marty Indian School in Marty, SD)

This camp offers an academic learning format.  Baltimore Presbytery staff may be rising 9th graders to adults. Baltimore Presbytery members who are a part of this camp will work with our partners from the Cedar Presbyterian Church to staff this camp. The Cedar Church will also provide worship, meals, fellowship and cultural activities. The organizing church from the Baltimore Presbytery is First Presbyterian of Cumberland, so this is a camp that works best for folks in the western part of our Presbytery.  Staff members will stay at the Marty Indian School Dorm or the Fort Randall Casino.  July 7 - 15  Contact Robin Bissell (240.444.4219)

 

Visit the BDLC website for information about applying to these camps and or applying for funds from the Turner Scholarship to support Presbytery youth (elementary thru college) who want to attend BDLC camps.