VISION
The vision of The Refuge camps is to take people away from the distractions of everyday life and transplant them in a community of daily rhythms oriented toward God so that they are clearly able to see, hear, and respond to His call to salvation and Kingdom living as they experience creation engagement, nurturing relationships, and the challenge of the unfamiliar.
Why Camp?
When we consistently see God at work, it only makes sense to join Him! Research studies and individual testimonies spanning generations consistently testify to the effectiveness of camp ministry as a medium for salvation and discipleship. Consider these findings from research conducted in 2018.*
“[Y]outh who reported having a positive and impactful experience at summer camp in the past year were significantly higher than their peers in all measurements of faith formation. Even more compelling, increased frequency of camp attendance had an increasing effect on faith measurements.”
Cultivating Teen Faith Insights from the Confirmation Project, edited by Richard R. Osmer and Katherine M. Douglass, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2018
Outdoor ministries provide key ingredients for growth. It’s not just fun to get away, it is essential! We literally need time away from the tyranny of the urgent in a space that doesn’t just offer different noise and numbing activities. Outdoor ministries intentionally hold space for noticing the Creator’s character in His creation, daily rhythms of listening and responding to God, overcoming challenges, and processing with other believers.
Camp programs strengthen conference connections. Being part of a conference of churches is a thread of connection between people who are separated by many, many miles. Outdoor ministries expand that thread by offering a connection point in which to do kingdom work together in the same location.
Why “The Refuge”?
A refuge provides shelter from pursuit, danger, or trouble. Revelation 12:17 provides the following picture:
“Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring – those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.”
Revelation 12:17
Camp programs provide shelter from a world that is hostile to the message and lifestyle of Jesus. Here campers are immersed in the truth that they are loved unconditionally by an absolutely trustworthy God on whom they can depend day in and day out in a hostile world.
Meet the Executive Team
Lizzie Caron
Meet Lizzie
Hi Camping Interested People,
I love Jesus, confetti, and creating environments where people feel loved and valued. In high school, I worked at Emmanuel Pines Camp in Prescott, Arizona. It was one of the best summers I had growing up! This was the same camp where my parents, aunt, grandma, worked as well as my great-grandma who helped start the camp back in the 1940s.
Camp continues to be one of the places where we see people take steps in greater obedience and relationship with the Lord. It is such an honor to get to partner with the Lord at The Refuge!
Katie Crabtree
Meet Katie
Hello campy people my name is Katie, also known as the 2023 Talent Show winner.
Let’s Seek the Refuge Only Found in the Kingdom together!
The Refuge Camp 