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1. Children learn independence. They learn they can survive without their parents around, but also how much they do love their parents. They learn to follow schedules while making their own decisions about things. Independence is the ultimate goal of parenthood: we want to raise children to be able to live well on their own.

2. Children learn to make friends with kids they haven't met before.  This of course is a skill they learn at school as well, but there's something about making friends with people you're not around all the time.

3. Children learn to value community.  Campers learn to live in a small space with around 7-10 other people for a week. They learn that their actions effect the group. They (hopefully) learn the value of cleanliness. Camp often has many elements of team building; cabin groups rely upon each other to succeed.

4. Children learn the importance of money management. They can use their camp store dollars to do what they want with during the week at camp. They can use it to make crafts, buy a t-shirt, give to the missions offering, or of course spend on candy. If they spend it all the first day, they learn that he can't buy anything else the rest of the week. It hopefully provides a lesson in using money wisely as well as figuring out what is important..

5. Children learn they are loved beyond their family circle.  Hopefully each child going to camp is fully aware of their parents' love for them. Hopefully that is shown through at least one letter during the week. Hopefully their church family also shows them love. But while they're at camp, they'll also discover that their counselors-perfect strangers-also love them. Just for being themselves. And most importantly, they'll also discover the overwhelming love of God.

6. Children learn that worship can be fun. Over-and-over again kids say the music was their favorite part of camp. There are fun, exuberant songs (as well as mellower ones). There are often engaging skits. There are great speakers. There is laughter. There is something about worshipping with a hundred other children their same age. They discover that worship doesn't just fit into the box they've created for worship from their experiences at church. It is much vaster and exciting to explore and participate in.

7. It's good, clean (though often dirty) fun.  Zany cabin skits, silly challenges involving marshmallows, jello, or whipped cream, swimming, games, sports, -- plenty of fun to keep kids entertained and active and coming back year after year.

8. Lives are changed. To me this is the biggest difference between Bible Camp and other camps. Sure, lives may be changed at a sports camp or arts camp, but not in the same magnitude. Each summer countless campers leave inspired to make a difference at home, in their schools, helping the needy, being positive role models. They leave camp wanting to help in their communities more. Nearly every camper goes home desiring to be a better person.