Creation Vacation

What is Creation Vacation?

Creation Vacation offers very low-income families the opportunity to experience a few days of family vacation, enjoying a supportive community and the wonder of creation that we know as camp. For many, it is a respite from the struggles of daily life. Families are chosen by social service agencies working with them in their home communities.

Deans and local church volunteers meet the families throughout the year, preparing them for the time they will spend at camp through a series of Family Meetings, and following up after camp through continued contact as friends .

Creation Vacation offers churches an opportunity for building one-on-one relationships with people living in poverty in their communities. We know this to be true to our Wesleyan heritage and crucial in our time for the transformation of congregations and communities.

You can help by becoming a Family Friend!

“Counselors” at Creation Vacation are called Family Friends. These volunteers offer themselves to assist a family at Creation Vacation have the best possible time while at camp, serving as a friend of that particular family. Sometimes it means caring for small children so the parents can get some much needed rest. Other times it may mean participating along with the family in camp activities. When families have children of a wider range of ages, it may be helpful to spend time with older/younger children while the parents enjoy time with the other part of the family. Needs are as varied as the families who come and the volunteers who participate. All are blessed by the experience.

... And You Can Contribute Financially

Contributions for Creation Vacation ministries are welcomed at any time!

For each event, it costs approximately $500 per family and $125 per Family Friend. Checks should be made payable to Conference Treasurer and sent to the camping office marked for Creation Vacation.

United Methodist Center - Camping Office
1505 SW 18th Ave
Portland, Oregon 97201

If you’d like to support the Creation Vacation Ministries financially, so that Camp & Retreat Ministries can continue to offer and to expand the this important program, please contact the Camp and Retreat Ministries office, or visit our Donations web page!

 

Learn More:	Help Out:
Watch The Creation Vacation presentation at Annual Conference 2012, by former executive director, Lisa Jean Hoefner. Read 'Creation Vacation provides break to cash-strapped families' UMNS feature article by Nancye Willis. Watch 'Free Family Time' Video about Creation Vacation. Read the Creation Vacation Flyer Read the Creation Vacation Program Manual	Pray for Creation Vacation, its minstry and staff Send in your financial contribution Serve as a Family Friend or as staff at one of the camps Get your church to support Creation Vacation either through your budget or with a special project Sponsor a family or a staff person