Each year, the BGCO conducts several regional Falls Creek Prep Meetings in late April and early May. Church leaders who are planning to bring students to the youth weeks of camp are invited to these camp orientation sessions.

These meetings are designed to equip youth leaders with vital information for attending Falls Creek and to expedite the Monday registration process for group leaders.

The fact is we are rapidly approaching the day when these meetings will become mandatory. It is increasingly essential that church leaders understand the importance of selecting the proper sponsors, communicating camp regulations to students and to know the best practices for the preparation of the movement of God in their cabins.

Typically, just more than 20 percent of the total number of campers attending each week, are unbelievers. That means, each week at Falls Creek, there are between 1,000 and 1,500 lost students on campus. It is imperative that church leaders and sponsors fully comprehend their shepherding role at camp and receive meaningful instruction in observing, relating to, guiding, disciplining and ministering to these students.

We cannot expect just to show up and let camp do the work for us. That isn’t prudent behavior administratively, ethically or spiritually. Falls Creek is working diligently to equip leaders for every aspect of camp and provide them with the best information and resources possible.

The Falls Creek Prep Meetings help churches put their best foot forward. This year, our prep meetings will provide critical information regarding:

• Camper Safety and Legal Issues
• Emergency Procedures
• New Camp Activities
• Missions Emphasis Changes
• Recreation Changes
• Daily Schedule Changes

There are six Prep Meetings, and they are free of charge and do not require advance sign-up, though it is strongly recommended. There will be door prizes given at each of the Prep Meetings, but only those pre-registering will be eligible for the drawings.

Each church’s lead sponsor should plan to attend. There will also be a Cook’s Track that will be a helpful discussion of meal prep and ideas, so churches should invite their camp cooks to join them as well. The dates of the meetings are listed below. All meetings will be 6:30-8:30 p.m. Churches can register those attending at www.skopos.org/fc-prepmeetings.

• April 25, Lawton, First East
• April 26, Elk City, First
• April 28, Ardmore First
• May 2, Oklahoma City, Southern Hills
• May 3, Woodward, First
• May 5, Owasso, First

Andy Harrison is Falls Creek program director and student ministry specialist with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.