Your camper's journey towards becoming a Christlike Leader!
Launching Christlike Leaders
New Life Ranch desires to equip and launch Christlike leaders into the world to make a difference for the Kingdom of God. With the mission to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and equip believers for ministry, New Life Ranch summer programs serve to establish a firm foundation of faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and build upon it servant leaders who are equipped to lead others in a faithful life of following Christ, Our camper trail map shows the journey campers take through their summers at New Life Ranch.
Regardless of how much time a camper spends with us, we want to play a part in their spiritual growth. Beginning with Day Camp and ending with Soma Team, our summer programs build on the previous experience, always pointing campers towards becoming Christlike Leaders. Each program focuses on specific areas of faith development that are developmentally appropriate for that camper, and activities and experiences support those goals.
Sparking Curiosity
Every hike begins at the trail head. The trail head is an exciting entry point, marked by curiosity for what’s ahead. For the New Life Ranch camper trail map, that trail head is our Day Camp program. At New Life Ranch Day Camp, Kindergarten through 4th grade campers learn about Christ’s love and his creation. As campers hear and learn the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it sparks their curiosity to know more about a God who loves His children and desires a relationship with them through Jesus Christ. Campers also get to play and explore with new experiences and adventures in creation, learning to see that creation reflects the Creator.
Knowing & Finding
When you first make your way onto a trail, it can feel a bit intimidating. Things can feel unfamiliar and it’s important that you know where you are headed. In Jr. Camp, a one-week overnight camp for 2nd-6th graders, campers focus on knowing the Gospel and on finding their identity in Christ. Jr. Campers start to go beyond the basics of knowing that God loves them and learn more about their need for a Savior in Jesus Christ because of their sin and rebellion against God. They also find out about who they are because of who God is - that they are created, loved, forgiven, adopted as His heirs, alive in Christ, and what a life of following Christ looks like.
So What?
The further you head down the trail, the more comfortable you become with your surroundings, and you begin to feel the freedom to start to explore different paths. In Sr. Camp, a one-week overnight camp for 7th-12th graders, campers learn what it means as believers to be called and set apart to contribute and the need for vulnerability. Because of a knowledge of the Gospel and experiencing identity in Christ, campers are beginning to look outside of themselves and answer, “So What?” At this crucial stage in their lives, campers are challenged not to be consumers of the world, but rather contributors to the Kingdom of God. They are also practicing vulnerability with one another, a necessary precursor to biblical community. Vulnerability introduces campers to humility, honesty, sober judgment, and authentic relationships that spur one another on to a life following and serving Christ.
Now What?
As you become more familiar and comfortable with hiking, you begin to seek out more challenging trails. Those trails you once found daunting you now eagerly want to attempt. The Leadership Development Program is a three-year tiered program for 10th-12th grade campers who are looking to further their relationship with God and develop their leadership potential. Building upon their foundation of the Gospel, and furthering their understanding of the call to be contributors rather than consumers, Leadership Development campers experience more challenge, more responsibility, and more opportunity for profound growth.
After many miles on the trail, you will begin to appreciate the need for adequate trail maintenance, and your responsibility in doing your part to keep the trails nice for everyone. In Nehemiah Team, campers focus on service as modeled by Christ. They learn that service and biblical community are foundational to biblical leadership. Campers grow to see and experience that God calls us into an individual relationship with him, but not on our own; God uses our relationships with other believers to encourage, to refine, and to guide others.
At some point along the trail you may feel like giving up. In Timothy Team, campers learn about discipleship and perseverance. Like Paul’s relationship with Timothy, campers are both discipled and equipped to disciple others. Campers also practice and develop grit, resilience, and character through experiencing and overcoming challenges alongside their peers with mentorship and discipleship from their leaders.
There comes a point when you are finally ready to start leading others on hikes. In Soma Team, campers learn about their unique gifts and calling within the Body of Christ, having experiences at camp to learn and to use their gifts regardless of their position or circumstances in life. Likewise, they learn to value and celebrate the gifts and contributions of others within the Body of Christ. As a capstone to the Leadership Development Program, Soma Team campers are encouraged to apply the leadership skills they have acquired over the years. Soma Team is a live laboratory, including the opportunity for feedback, coaching, and development opportunities.