.

 A Message from the President of PCCCI   
The Rev. Rick Harrison

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, 

It costs too much money to go to camp!  This may seem like a strange statement coming from the President of PCCCI, but it is true.  Please understand it is not that PCCCI is overcharging; we work very hard to keep the cost of camp as low as possible (in fact, the cost of our summer camps is significantly cheaper than most secular programs). The problem is, even with our best efforts in this area, many families cannot afford the price of camp.  As a result, hundreds of young people never get the chance to have this life changing experience.   

Christian camping is one of the most effective tools the church has for reaching young and old alike with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.   Did you know that nearly 60% of all Christians have had their most significant spiritual experience in a camp or retreat setting?  Camping works because it allows people to get away from the distractions of the world and focus on their relationship with God.  It also gives us the opportunity to live in community with each other, worshiping, encouraging and praying for one another.  Camp is not just another activity we need to fit into our busy lives; rather, it is a essential element of our Christian growth experience.  With your help, we can make sure that no camper is left at home this summer because they can’t afford the cost of camp. 

In the gospel of Luke, chapter 14, Jesus tells the story of the wedding banquet.  The master of the banquet tells his servant to go into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame so that his table would be full.   I am urging you to partner with PCCCI to make it possible for us to go to the “streets and alleys of the town” and invite those who would not normally get a chance to “come to the banquet.”  

Please take the time to prayerfully consider sending a child to camp at either Big Bear or Rancho La Scherpa  this summer.  The average cost of camp is slightly more than $300.00 per child.  A one-time gift of $300 or a one-year pledge of $25.00 a month would completely underwrite the cost of one camper.  Double that and you would send two campers.  Triple and... well, you get the idea.  Your gift will make it possible for a camper/campers to not only hear the gospel but experience it as well.  Please take a minute to send PCCCI a check to help a child go to camp this summer, or call our camp office at (909) 866-2360.  We can safely take credit cards over the phone if it is more convenient for you.  Your gift will make a difference! 

I thank you for your faithfulness and generosity.

In His service,
Rick Harrison
President / CAO
Presbyterian Camps and Conference Centers Inc.