Advance Camp (9th Grade)

Advance Camp Overview

The Advance Camp program exists to serve campers who are making the exciting transition from middle school to high school. This is a time when many students are beginning to wrestle with questions such as “Who am I? What is true? What is my purpose?”  As students make choices about the people they are becoming and continue to take ownership of their faith, it is crucial to connect this process with the truth of God’s Word. In Scripture, Christ constantly called his disciples to follow him. The purpose of Advance Camp is to build meaningful relationships and provide challenging experiences that will ultimately encourage students as they “advance” to make following Christ the foundation of their lives. 

Program Details

Advance Camp is a three-week program in which incoming high school freshmen live together at HoneyRock, building relationships with their cabin mates and counselors, and enjoying the unique experience of being at camp. Time is set aside daily for each cabin to discuss a particular passage of Scripture and also for personal devotions. Worship and “Hot Topics” are another exciting part of the session. Each cabin group will get the chance to spend time together on the adventure challenge courses which include our high ropes circuit. Students will go on a 5-day wilderness trip, hiking in the woods and sea kayaking on the chain of lakes around HoneyRock. While in camp, students get to work in activity areas. Each session campers also have the opportunity to go on a whitewater rafting trip. Strong relationships, a commitment to Scripture, and experiences in nature create the potential for these three weeks to be life-changing and memorable.

Spiritual Formation

Each day campers will be involved in Bible studies, praise and worship sessions and prayer times. The majority of Bible teaching takes place in cabin groups led by counselors, a model which allows for more creative and personal teaching. We are also purposeful in teaching campers to have a devotional quiet time on their own each day.

Counselors 

The majority of our counselors are Wheaton College students enrolled in our Summer Leadership School. After an extensive application process, all counselors go through 5 weeks of intense training led by HoneyRock’s full-time professional staff and a variety of college professors who are experts in child development and working with young people. Our training model is aimed at developing in students an increased passion for Christ, a commitment to his Word, and a strong investment in the community. During this training period, which is much longer than industry norms, counselors take academic classes related to camp ministry, learn wilderness trip skills, become Red Cross certified in First Aid, CPR/AED and Water Safety, and learn how to create Bible studies and devotional times applicable to young people.

Activities

In our Advance Camp program, HoneyRock offers unique activities that can’t be found in suburban or urban areas. We do this intentionally to help give campers a new and unique experience with the unfamiliar, expand their minds, increase their potential, and encourage them to think big. Many Advance Campers earn a Masters in the activity of their choice due to the extended time and personal attention given in the program. Options available include: 

• Archery
• Canoeing
• Climbing
• Ceramics ($30 additional fee, minimum 3 times)
• Crafts
• Horsemanship ($90 additional fee, minimum 5 rides)
• Kayaking
• Mountain Biking
• Riflery
• Sailing
• Swimming
• Waterskiing ($75 additional fee, minimum 4 times)
• Wilderness Skills