“This will be a very exciting summer at Pictured Rocks,” said Patric Newton, the Camp’s site director. “We’ll have two great experiences that will let us see camping in an entirely new way.”
Coming off what Patric described as “the best retreats season on record,” Pictured Rocks will offer campers an opportunity to catch a “Night Vision.” The three-day-long camp will be a nighttime experience. “We miss seeing a lot of the beauty that’s all around us when we shut off the lights and call it a day,” Patric explained. “In this new camp we’ll be up all night and sleep in in the morning. For most teenagers sleeping in is a regular experience anyway. So, together, we’ll encounter the sounds of God’s good creation after dark.”
The “Night Vision” camp is being offered for three days “because we recognize that families are busy, even in the summer. We’re hoping that this shorter camp will be appealing and something that can be afforded both in terms of time and cost.”
The other new camp experience at Pictured Rocks, called "Encounter," will be offered in partnership with Matthew 25. “Campers will be at Pictured Rocks for three days, learning about mission, getting some coaching about outreach and urban farming, and thinking together about what it means to be in mission.” Patric’s father, a United Methodist clergyperson from Indiana, will be one of the team leading the mission week. “He’ll help build community and an understanding of mission, particularly what it’s like in an urban area.”
The second part of the "Encounter" week will take place in Cedar Rapids. “Campers will work on the urban farm, do some home rehab, and learn more about the mission and ministry of Matthew 25,” Patric added.
Resting quietly hilltop Pictured Rocks is nestled among abundant timber forest and rock bluffs along the scenic Maquoketa River. Onsite it offers real-rock climbing and bouldering, climbing tower with zip line, challenge course, geo-caching, mountain boarding and Frisbee golf, while for offsite adventure - caving at Pictured Rocks Park and canoeing/kayaking/tubing a 7-mile stretch of the Maquoketa River. Swimming is done indoor at neighboring Camp Courageous’ pool complex where people of all ages enjoy the water rock-climbing wall, volleyball net, basketball hoop and numerous pool toys.
For more information about the 2013 summer camping experience at Pictured Rocks visit www.picturedrocks.org or contact Kathy Potter, the Camps Registrar at 800.765.1651. To learn more about all the camping sponsored by the Iowa Annual Conference visit: www.iaumc.org/camping