“Some people may have donated initially because we were a convenient nonprofit — but it was the kindness in our response that turned those gifts into lasting partnerships.” —Christiaan Snedeker, executive director of Lake Geneva Ministries (Lake Geneva, Wisconsin)
It is critical for followers of Christ to leverage these
unique opportunities with the community to create relationships. “I would encourage people to look for opportunity, and, yes, with opportunity comes risk. You have to mitigate both,” Snedeker said. “My encouragement is to be a light for Christ in your community, especially if you’re in a circumstance where your neighbors are very close.” Sometimes, when finding opportunities to be a light
in the community, it’s not a path; it’s a bridge. “Literally and figuratively, it is up to the camp to make that bridge,” said Gabe Valencia, CEO of Mile High Pines (MHP) (Angelus Oaks, California). MHP recently constructed a treetop bridge that Valencia dubs the “EWalk” (Educational Walk). “While it is a program activity for camp staff and campers, we’ll offer it as a free day for the public to see what we’re doing at camp,” Valencia said. “If they’re looking for a camp, they remember an
experience. But many may not have ever thought about camp until they learned they can go on this EWalk and experience a treetop bridge,” Valencia shared. “I think we are open to tourism with a purpose.” He embraces the importance of intentionally welcoming neighbors onto your property. “You can insulate yourself … but for us, when we say we want to provide opportunities for people to encounter God, there’s no better way to do that than at the camp with our staff,” he said.
He said it was a strategic choice to build the tree-
top learning experience and bridge instead of a new dorm: “If we had built new beds, they would think it’s just about the money. I’ve heard that before from other camps, and I wanted to make sure the first thing we built was something neighbors could enjoy that brings people closer to nature, which is why you come to the mountains.” Another strategy for keeping the peace among neigh-
bors is MHP’s Good Neighbor Policy. “We hear them out, check the story, fix the problem and respond to that neighbor,” Valencia explained. “Our policy is to reengage with that neighbor, if we’re able, and say, “How are we doing?” Valencia has noticed a significant decrease in complaints since implementing this process. As you consider the neighbors around your property,
look for ways to build bridges, open lines of communi- cation and invite them to engage with your ministry. You never know where an open door — or a plate of chocolate chip cookies — might take the relationship.
For 15 years, Tucker Van Brunt lived onsite at Camp Sentinel (Center Tuſtonboro, New Hampshire) with his family and discovered at a young age his passion for camping ministry. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in communication arts with a focus in marketing and public relations from Gordon College in 2021, Van Brunt has been applying his marketing skills to Sentinel for many years. He currently resides in Newburyport, Massachusetts.
McKenna Reding serves as the marketing/communications manager for CCCA. Some of her favorite parts of the position include managing CCCA’s social media accounts, serving as the editor of Flint & Steel and serving as the photo editor for InSite. Attending and serving at Riverside Bible Camp (Story, Iowa) developed a passion for camping ministry in Reding. She currently lives in Ames, Iowa, with her husband, AJ.
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www.ccca.org November/December 2025
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