Summer Camps Point Kids to Jesus

Story by Evan Knott

Chesapeake Conference’s 2025 summer camp season concluded with powerful moments of connection, growth and commitment to Jesus. Hundreds of campers across the conference participated in programming at Mount Aetna Summer Camp in Hagerstown, Md., and FLAG (Fun Learning About God) Camp programs hosted by local churches.

At Mount Aetna, campers enjoyed a range of classic and specialty activities where children learned hands-on skills, including horsemanship, water skiing and archery. Two new specialty weeks—volleyball camp and gymnastics camp— were introduced this summer.

A key spiritual highlight this year was the introduction of TAG Time—short for “Time Alone with God.” Each evening, counselors guided campers in learning how to have personal devotions and spend intentional time with God.

“Our counselors spent each evening modeling and teaching the campers how to have personal devotions, and that was very fruitful,” says Shawn Paris, Camp Ministries director. Campers were also given Voice of Prophecy Bible study guides at the beginning of the week, as part of the North American Division’s Pentecost 2025 initiative.

“Our staff are trained on how to show Jesus throughout the course of the day and how to bring Him into every conversation,” Paris adds.

FLAG Camps, held at more than 10 church locations across the conference, also played a key role in summer outreach. In support of the Reach Baltimore 2025 initiative, a dedicated FLAG Camp team worked specifically with churches in the Baltimore area to promote family-focused community events.

“We have set up a specific team that is working with the churches that are in and around the Baltimore area to help promote the community activities for the families and for the kids,” Paris says. “We’re hoping that this will bring some fruit and some interest for the Bible workers who are going to be working those areas in anticipation of the major events that are taking place this fall.”