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Activities & Involvement

Camps & Retreats

The New Church offers a number of annual camps and retreats designed to bring people together in an environment which stimulates spiritual growth and learning. Camps range from those geared toward families, to teen groups, to elders. While many of them take place in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, others are scattered around the US, and some are located in Canada and the UK.

Each event places the Lord at its center, but the focus is different depending on which camp you attend. Some are doctrinal and others target areas like relationships, teen issues, or general life skills. All incorporate fun, relaxation, and social interaction as key components of the experience.

Please see below for a list of camps and retreats offered:

Camps in Bryn Athyn, PA

  • Tools 4 Life

    Tools 4 Life is a career and life skills camp designed to help teenagers who have completed grades 10 and 11 develop the tools and confidence needed to choose the right directions after high school. The camp offers seven days of activities and workshops under the mentorship of skilled councilors. It is held in July of every year. Visit www.tools4life.org for more information.

  • ANC Summer Camp

    Academy of the New Church Summer Camp is geared to students who have completed grades 8 or 9, helping to familiarize them with the Academy Secondary Schools. It also allows for New Church young people to socialize in a friendly and informal, but chaperoned environment. Visit www.ancss.org/academics/camps/summer-camp.html to learn more.

  • ANC Summer Institutes

    ANC Summer Institutes are intensive, two-week courses earning 5 credits (.5 Carnegie Units) for 60 hours of instruction. Courses are sponsored by the Academy of the New Church in conjunction with other educational organizations and businesses. The Institutes are open to individuals ranging from teens to adults of any age, and offer advanced skills to the motivated student. Class size is limited to provide an intimate environment of learning-by-doing, guided by instructors who rank at the top of their field and are passionate about what they do. Classes use state-of-the-art equipment and outstanding facilities. Visit www.ancss.org/News/SummerInstitutes/index_html to apply.

  • Glencairn Museum American Indian Pow Wow is a summertime camp for children who have just completed grades 3, 4 or 5. Glencairn's collection of American Indian artifacts will be used to illustrate the daily life and religious practices of the first Americans. Students will participate in a variety of activities including American Indian games, archery, dancing, drumming, crafts, cooking, and survival skills. The daily program begins with a Christian prayer and a reading from scripture and continues with a variety of activities designed to foster an appreciation of the American Indian culture. For more information please contact Leah Smith at 267-502-2993 or leah.smith@glencairnmuseum.org. The Glencairn website can be visited at www.glencairnmuseum.org.

Camps around the US

  • Laurel Family Camp is a summer church camp with activities, worship, and instruction based on the Lord's Word and the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg. The focus of this camp is to draw people together and build a true sense of spiritual community. Several sessions (one week each) are held in Laurel Hill State Park, Pennsylvania, in July and August of each year. Visit www.laurelcamp.org for more information and registration forms.

  • Jacob's Creek Family Camp is a summer church camp held in the mountains of Western Pennsylvania. Besides daily worship, the camp includes instruction and activities revolving around the Lord's Word and the Heavenly Doctrine as revealed through Emanuel Swedenborg. The focus of this camp is to assist participants in building a strong foundation of doctrinal understanding for spiritual growth. Visit jacobscreekcamp.host-ed.net for more information.

  • Aspen Camp is a church camp for teenagers between ages 13 and 18, sponsored by The New Church of Boulder Valley. The camp takes place in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The campers participate in interactive workshops, worship and prayer, small group exercises, outdoor activities, and music and fun with friends. Contact The New Church of Boulder Valley for more information. 303-443-9220 info@bouldernewchurch.org.

  • Rocky Mountain Retreat

    Rocky Mountain Retreat is an annual church retreat weekend in Estes Park, Colorado. The retreat serves families, couples, singles, children and grandparents. The camp aims to provide a fun and relaxing atmosphere in which participants are able to make active progress on their spiritual path. The sense of community strengthens as people worship, learn, and play together. Contact The New Church of Boulder Valley for more information. 303-443-9220 info@bouldernewchurch.org.

  • Arizona Mountain Family Camp is a church camp open to all, located in the mountains of Southeastern Arizona. The four days feature activities, worship, and instruction based on teachings from Lord's Word and the Writings. A beautiful setting and comfortable lodgings make this an ideal summertime getaway with a deep spiritual focus. Please visit www.sunrisechapel.org/special/camp.php for more information.

  • Eldergarten is a weeklong program for people over 60, taking place in Florida during January of each year. For participants, it's like going back to college: there are many doctrinal courses on offer, with New Church teachers and ministers flying in from all over the country. Each year, a theme is chosen as the overall focus for the program. Besides learning, there are numerous opportunities to visit with each other, as well as outings to places of interest. To learn more, contact director, Gale Arnoux, at eldergarten@earthlink.net.

  • New Church of Boulder Valley Women's Retreat is an annual weekend away for women of all ages. Through fellowship, worship, workshops, small groups, activities and nurturing food, women are rejuvenated and renewed. For more information contact The New Church of Boulder Valley 303-443-9220.

Canada, the UK, and Europe

  • Maple Leaf Academy is a teen church camp in Palgrave, Ontario in Canada. The campers are mentored towards spiritual growth in an environment filled with music, worship, prayer, and wholesome fun. There's plenty of social interaction ranging from small group exercises to communal activities. Contact: gcic.mapleleafcamp@gmail.com to learn more.

  • British Academy Summer School is a church camp for teens and young adults in Warwickshire, UK. The camp allows participants to interact with other spiritually-minded young people in a relaxed and fun environment. Days at BASS are characterized by worship, learning, sports, creative activities, and outings to places of interest. Please visit www.newchurchuk.org/bass/bass.php to download application forms.

  • Scandinavian Family Weekend is an annual event hosted by the Copenhagen, Jonkoping and Stockholm groups, typically in May. The weekend includes activities for all age groups, including stimulating instruction, debate and social activities. Activities will predominantly be held in a Nordic language, but all are welcome to attend. Contact: vitarichardt@yahoo.co.uk to learn more.