BYM Camp Enrollment Opens

One of the most popular programs of Baltimore Yearly Meeting is the camping program at Catoctin, Opequon, Shiloh, and Teen Adventure Quaker Camps. Kids have a wonderful time in the natural world and getting to know one another. Enrollment for Baltimore Yearly Meeting camping programs begins  January 16, at 12:00 p.m. The camps are residential for children ages 9 to 14, with a trips-based program for 15- to 17-year-olds. Anyone may apply online (please do!) by visiting the BYM Camps website: www.bymcamps.org Spaces are available first come, first serve, so please register as soon as you can if you need a particular session. For questions, contact the Program Manager, Brian Massey (301-774-7663, brian@bymcamps.org) For details about Quaker camps, click here.           

Why consider a sleep-away Quaker camp for your children (9 years and older)? For most children, at first, Quakerism and Meeting for Worship are seen as a “grownup” religion and experience. At camp, however, children experience the Inner Light in a natural setting, in outdoor silent worship, and in community with their peers and well-trained, talented counselors, many of whom were once campers themselves. Campers detach from electronics and social media to have fun playing and participating in camp activities; they gain the confidence that comes from learning practical life skills through daily camp chores; they make lasting friendships with children from other parts of the area or country. The Quaker camp setting and program afford opportunities for experiential, multi- sensory learning that weekly FDS and traditional school cannot provide. All Quaker camps are open to children whether they come to BFM or not, so please share this information with others who might be interested. If you are interested in the camping program, we can put you in touch with families whose children attended BYM camps last summer.

Our Meeting would like to support our children going to camp to the extent of $500 each, on a first-come first-served basis. When you apply, please contact the clerk of Pastoral Care. Parents may also contribute by volunteering at one of the camps during the summer.