“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Tim 4:12
1. It is our desire that every person attending Bethel Youth Conferences demonstrate conduct and qualities described by Paul in 1 Timothy 4:12.
2. To accomplish this, we strongly insist on solid Christian behavior between boys and girls at conference. Boys should not be near girls’ dorms and girls should not be near boys’ dorms. We insist on a “hands off” policy between boys and girls to include no physical contact. This includes all forms of public display of affection (hand holding, hugging, kissing or more). It is our hope that, even though many of these types of conduct are perfectly acceptable outside our Youth Conferences, our teens would dedicate themselves during this time to separate themselves to the Lord for specific attention to all that He has for them, without these distractions.
3. During prayer at altar services, boys should only pray with/for other boys and girls should only pray with/for other girls. Campers will not leave the evening service without the approval of a director, pastor or their group leader. Group leaders should pray and deal with their specifically assigned campers only and always be wise in approaching spiritually sensitive topics. It is always best when unsure to refer a camper to his pastor or his representative for the most serious counseling needs.
4. For the purpose of creating a “separated to the Lord” atmosphere during conferences, no phones, Ipods or other electronic devices will be kept by youth during the conference. They must be left and secured with their sponsoring pastor or his representative prior to camp. Adults should use their electronic devices sparingly and only as absolutely necessary so as not to be a distraction to campers. Campers may use their cell phones briefly during conference only under the supervision and authorization of their pastor or his representative and only for a strictly limited amount of time to contact their parents if necessary.
5. After dark, campers must not be in any areas of camp other than the tabernacle, dining hall, in front of the dining hall area between it and the dorms and their own assigned dorms. In all other areas, campers must be escorted and supervised and only for specific conference scheduled activities. Campers are never authorized in or around the lake area at any time without authorized supervision and for specific scheduled activities.
6. Drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or similar products are always prohibited on Camp grounds. No firearms are allowed and any necessary prescription drugs or medications must be registered with the camp nurse or Registrar at the start of conference.
CLOTHING
“Let not yours be the outward adorning...(like fine clothing)...but let it be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable jewel of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” 1 Peter 3:3-4
“...Dress modestly, with decency and propriety and moderation....(not excess)..., but with good deeds...appropriate for those who profess to worship God...those who profess godliness with good works.” 1 Timothy 2:9
Unlike the current standard of dress in the world, we want our youth to learn what it means to dress modestly and moderately while they attend our youth conferences. We understand that this will likely take extra effort by every camper, especially in light of what we wear when we are not at camp. Pastors must brief their respective campers on what is listed here as appropriate dress and make sure they arrive prepared to meet those standards and not wear inappropriate clothing. Interestingly, the two above verses are directed primarily at women. However, the standards and attitudes demanded by these Scriptures should apply to Christians of either gender. The last thing we want to inspire in any other camper are impure thoughts influenced by what we wear or how we wear it. We want our youth to recognize that we each bear a Christian responsibility for how others think about our dress and how we present ourselves. Therefore, while at Youth Conferences, we insist on the following dress standards:
1. Everyone must wear modest apparel.
a. No tank tops, spaghetti straps or large arm holes in clothing.
b. Shorts, skirts and dresses must be no shorter than one hand width above the knee. No low cut or low rise pants. No low riding jeans.
c. No midrifts exposed at any time. No low cut tops.
d. Tight pants or leggings should not reveal body parts inappropriately and, if worn, should be covered by a long top or dress.
2. During any water activities, guys should wear shorts or trunks and a colored T-shirt. Girls should wear one piece swimsuits (no bikinis) with shorts and colored T-shirt.
3. During evening services, if you are going to be on the platform, guys must wear long pants and a button up or polo shirt. Girls must wear long dresses, long pants or knee length skirt and top. (No spaghetti straps, low cut tops, sleeveless tops with large arm holes, and no navel exposure.) All others, not on the platform must wear modest dress. Although long pants or dresses are preferred at evening services, appropriate length shorts can be worn due to hot temperatures at camp this time of year. No hats worn in tabernacle at any time.
CORRECTION/DISCIPLINE
“Correct your son and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your soul.” Prov 29:17
“...denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world...that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous for good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority.” Titus 2:12-15
In more than fifty years of conferences at Bethel Youth Camp, we have always had difficulties establishing and maintaining standards of dress and conduct. There is no reason to expect that these problems and issues will disappear any time before the return of Jesus. As a result, it is imperative that we learn to apply correction, where necessary, to deviations from these desired standards in a loving, yet firm way. We firmly believe then, that correction should be applied when absolutely necessary in the following ways:
1. Group leaders will likely be the first to notice problems with campers, especially in the areas of dress. It is expected that, because the BMA has acknowledge a group leader’s maturity and ability to lead campers during our conferences, he or she will be expected to say something to any camper under their supervision about areas of conduct or dress that need to be corrected. They are expected to not take action, however, to ensure compliance with those standards. That will ultimately be the responsibility of the representative pastor.
2. Directors have higher responsibilities than group leaders in their ability and right to correct deviations. A director who observes problems with conduct or dress of a camper will be expected to not only point out the problem area to a camper, but will also have the right to ask them, as lovingly as possible, to correct the discrepancy. In some cases, they may even feel the need to ask a camper to change into clothing that they may themselves provide to remedy the situation.
3. Beyond these two levels of correction, the camper’s Pastor or his appointed representative will have the highest level of supervision and control over individual campers. Any deviations that cannot be corrected by gentle direction and leadership of group leaders or directors, should be referred to the representative pastor of the camper. In cases where the host pastor cannot be available or is not on camp grounds, he or she must appoint someone to have those responsibilities. This may even be accomplished by one of the other pastors residing at camp at the direction of the camper’s pastor. If this is not possible or if the error is not corrected in this manner or if there is an unresolvable disagreement about the situation, only as a last recourse, the BMA Chairman or a member of the Board of Directors attending camp should be consulted to resolve the issue. It is NEVER the desire of anyone in the BMA that any camper should be removed from camp. However, on very rare occasions, this has become necessary. In some cases, the parent of the camper might have to be called to come pick up his child. This action, however, would only be accomplished by the pastor of the camper’s church and should always be coordinated through a BMA board member as soon as possible.
Bethel Youth Conferences are intended to be a place where safety is insured, outer distractions of the world and unholy influences are minimized and each camper is given the absolute best opportunity to experience the moving of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The above rules and possible disciplinary measures are not intended to provide a militaristic style background, but are hopefully useful in making sure that God can speak to us through the classes, ministries, worship and fellowship opportunities so each camper, youth and adult alike, can leave with a positive sense of spiritual growth and a closer relationship to Him. It is always our hope that we each leave Camp with a burning desire to return and enthusiastically live for Jesus throughout the rest of the year.
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Camper's Signature
This form must be turned in with camp registration.
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