About us

Mission and core values

Why · the Swamp Camp mission

A little slice of heaven.

Partnering with God to create a safe, spiritual space for belonging and learning through play, connection, community, and wonder.

How

Ten core values

Every Swamp Camp, in every country, is built on the same ten.

YHWH
Always point towards God. We believe that God is powerful, faithful, compassionate, gracious, and abounding in love. As we witness God revealing himself through the Bible, nature, and relationships, we steer away from outward compliance and allow each person the space and time for wonder, curiosity, and wrestling for personal faith.
Differences
Accept and celebrate differences! We embrace different talents, interests and quirks whether athletic, scholarly, musical, or other, including domino expert, hula hoop champion, or avid book reader.
Food
Provide good food. We create palatable (pun intended) memories around delicious food and yummy canteen / tuck-shop treats. We promote mealtimes as special gatherings of our community.
Fun
Have fun! We prioritize smiles, laughter, and playfulness as we offer activities that engage a wide age-range of participants considering their interests and needs when planning activities and events. We never have fun at the expense of others remembering that no one will want to come back if it is not fun.
Investment
Give to Camp. We partner together to give one hundred percent love, energy, attention, time, and money towards fulfilling camp’s mission. We always think, plan, and train with an eye to future generations.
Leadership
Lead strongly and humbly. We articulate clear rules, boundaries, and expectations to counselors, campers and volunteers, and enforce them consistently and fairly. We cultivate a safe spiritual space for everyone to learn to lead like Jesus.
Respect
Create a culture of value. We hold every image bearer of Christ in high esteem, no matter their age or their station in life. We prioritize a culture where everyone is important and belongs.
Roles
Define and clarify responsibilities at camp. We communicate expectations so each person will know whether they are fulfilling their roles and responsibilities. We foster accountability and encourage ownership of any given role.
Safety
Create a safe spiritual place. We want everyone (parents, volunteers, counselors, and campers) to feel mentally, physically, and emotionally safe encouraging spiritual engagement and connection. We deal with bullies of all kinds, enforce standards on language and behavior, and create a culture of agape love. We live out our motto: “The safest place on the planet, besides your home.”
Spirituality
Have a spiritual camp not a religious camp. We recognize the difference between the two. We trust the Holy Spirit to work through play, connection, community, and wonder.

Result

“He may endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations.”

Psalm 72:5

How the missions connect

Three missions, one flow

Each has its own mission, suited to its work. Read in order; they are one flow: from the alliance, to the team that goes, to the child at camp.

01 · S.C.M.A.

Partnering with God to Bridge the Generations and Fulfill Psalm 72:5.
Resources, governs and scales the work.
02 · Swamp Corps

Partnering with God and the Next Generation to establish a perennial Swamp Camp reasonably reached by every child on the planet.
Goes, and starts the camps.
03 · Swamp Camp · this page

Partnering with God to create a safe, spiritual space for belonging and learning through play, connection, community, and wonder.
The week a child lives.