Several key advantages are found in a camp or retreat setting such as Ironwood:

• Campers are away from the cares of this world.
• Many offenses of the world are eliminated.
• Campers hear almost a whole month’s worth of preaching within a few short days.
• A new location and situation heightens campers’ awareness and attention level (Psalm 46:10).
• The Word can build “line upon line” and “precept upon precept” because campers do not miss any services at camp.
• Pastors and youth leaders have often told us of unsaved people accepting the invitation to come to camp after steadfastly refusing the gospel at home.
• Campers are in a setting that encourages them to consider and meditate on the Word for the purpose of making life-changing decisions.
• Pastors and church leaders who come with their people have many opportunities to counsel and mentor them in the relaxed schedule and setting of camp and during the time of travel to and from camp.

Listed below are some biblical principles that make camping an effective tool for reaching young people, strengthening the family, and serving the local church.

Change of Pace and Place Principle

In Mark 6:31, our Lord told His disciples that it was time to take a little retreat which he used not only for their physical refreshment but also for the imparting of spiritual truths through object lessons and direct teaching.

And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while:  for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

Effective Age Principle

In Matthew 18:3-4, Jesus was very clear that the young children had at least one less hurdle (pride) to get over before they could be saved.

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Elimination of Offense Principle

Matthew 18:6-9 teaches that the removal of offenses affects a child’s likelihood of believing on the Lord and making decisions consistent with God’s will.

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.  Woe unto the world because of offences!  For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!  Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee:  it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.  And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee:  it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

Extra Effort Principle

Matthew 18:12-14 is in the direct context of Christ’s comments about reaching children for Him.  The shepherd that the Lord was commending here certainly expended extra effort to reach that one lost “sheep.”  Applying this principle to camp ministry, the extra effort to get young people to camp will often make the difference in whether some lost sheep are ever found or remain lost forever.

How think ye?  If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?  And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.  Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Diligent Teaching Principle

In Deuteronomy 6:7, God instructs us to diligently teach the children, meaning to teach in such a way that the Word of God penetrates or pierces the mind.  Sometimes this is accomplished by simply telling children what to believe.  More often, as the example of our Lord’s teaching methods would indicate, a variety of methods and styles of teaching are helpful in reaching different people in different stages of life.

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest
in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou
risest up.

These various methods are used in the Ironwood program to present the truths of the Scriptures throughout a typical camp day.  A sampling of our Lord’s teaching methods are listed here; we use all of them and more at camp.

• One-on-one method—The woman at the well, Nicodemus, and Peter received individual attention and instruction
• Small group dynamics—The disciples, the inner circle, and a chosen few who were ready to learn (Mark 9:31)
• Large group preaching—The multitude—Sermon on the Mount (Mark 2:13; Matthew 5:2)
• Various other methods—Question and answer, discussion, object lessons, parables, lecture, and sequential repetition. “ . . .as he was wont, he taught them again” (Mark 10:1).

Natural Witness of Creation Principle

A power beyond the natural and an answer to the origin question are powerful witnesses to God’s existence, nature, and power.  At camp, we have a better view of what God has done, as opposed to the view of what man has done in the cities.

Challenge of Decisions Principle

In the Scriptures, seldom, if ever, did Christ leave a discussion, counseling situation, teaching lesson, or message to a large crowd without a challenge to make a decision or consider carefully what He was saying.  That opportunity comes very naturally at camp because of the setting, the schedule, the seclusion, and the subjects addressed.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me (Matthew 16:24).

Jesus said unto him [rich young ruler], If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven:  and come and follow me (Matthew 19:21).