Campership

Because the people of the United Methodist Church are dedicated to creating Sacred Spaces of Christian hospitality and learning to all persons, we believe no one should be turned away from camp due to financial need. The Camp and Retreat Ministries' campership fund (the Joy Fund) is available to families facing financial stress.

How does the Camp & Retreat Office staff handle requests?

We offer two pricing options for many children and youth events. On each camp’s description page there are two different camp prices. You get to choose the one that best fits your family’s ability to pay.

1. Lowest subsidized rate: The lowest price is a subsidized rate; donors to the Joy Fund allow Camp & Retreat Ministry to offer this rate. This covers only the basics: food costs, kitchen and maintenance staff, program supplies, and training, food and lodging for the volunteer leaders.
2. The true cost of camp: This is closest to the true overall cost of an individual’s participation at camp. This includes the costs of the subsidized rate plus things like insurance, utilities, replacement of equipment, and facility upgrades.

For families that need assistance beyond the subsidized rate, many of the churches have campership funds available.   If your church does not have funds available for camperships or you have have need of additional assistance,  we have an application for additional campership funds.  Campers must be registered and the deposit must be paid by the family prior to application for campership funds.   Camperships are limited to one per person per year. Applications for campership must be received and approved at least one week before the start of the event. 

 CAMPERSHIP REQUEST FORM (fill in on computer, save and email to registrar@gocamping.org)

How does the Camp & Retreat Office staff determine need? Campership funds are generally reserved for children and families who qualify for free/reduced meals at schools. This is the least intrusive way of assessing basic financial need in families. There are also other circumstances that cause sudden or temporary financial stress in families, of which you'll need to let us know. We want to help campers get to camp who would otherwise be unable to attend. Helping as many campers as possible means stretching the funds to go as far as possible

Where do Campership funds come from?

We appreciate those who make this fund possible through their donations to the Joy Fund. We also encourage campers or parents to contact a local United Methodist church or other local organizations that may provide assistance to help get children to camp.

If you would like to donate to the Joy Fund to help provide assistance to those who could not otherwise afford to attend camp, please click on the DONATE button and indicate you would like your funds to be used for the  "Joy Fund"

CAMPERSHIP REQUEST FORM  

Email completed form to registrar@gocamping.org.

You may also mail the form to:

Camp Registrar

Camp and Retreat Ministries

1505 SW 18^th Avenue

Portland, OR 97201

Call the registrar if you have questions at (503) 802-9214 or registrar@gocamping.org