This could get expensive! Where are some creative places other camps and conference centers have found money to invest cross-culturally?

1.   Camper/guest Offerings:
One CCCA conference center raised enough to purchase the CCI/Russia Association office in St. Petersburg, Russia. An entire denomination pooled their combined camper offerings for indigenous leadership training for more than 1,000 leaders.       

·         Models Christian stewardship principles

·         Kindles an interest in missions

·         Lifts the sights of your constituency, staff, and board

·         Doesn't impact your budget

 How to do it: Contact Global Outreach Group for "how-to" resources. They will help you discover viable, prescreened opportunities as well.

2.      Campers "Unspent" Store Money:
Many campers have money left over in the "camp bank". Offer them the convenient option of contributing it to your summer missions project.

·         Parents will feel good about helping

·         It's money that is "already spent" anyway

·         You have to handle refunds one way or another

·         Doesn't impact your budget

     How to do it: Create a box to check on your registration form where parents designate their child's unused spending money to your international missions project. Camps are raising thousands of dollars in this way. In many countries, an indigenous camping leader could be supported for a year if each of your campers gave up only one popsicle for the week!   Serious ROI!

3.      Tithe Fund-raising Results:
Give a percentage of your next capital campaign to international camping ministry in a developing country.

·        A little amount goes an incredibly long way overseas

·        Models Biblical stewardship

·        Adds a fresh dimension to your fundraising

      How to do it: The camp board must agree, and then inform donors up front that you plan to do it and what the particular project will accomplish.

4.      Put it in the Budget:
Make it something your ministry does. Begin a tradition, a new way of looking at ministry. How might
God use your resources and expertise globally?

 ·        Underwrite a particular training event each year

·        Take on an indigenous leader's personal support

·        Supply printed training resources in another language

 How to do it: Choose a particular project and make it a board-approved line item in the budget. To be successful, all the staff and board must "own" the vision. Consider starting small rather than doing nothing at all. Ask a donor to match the amount.  Call Global Outreach Group for opportunities that are guaranteed to bear fruit

5.      Matching Gifts:
Create enthusiasm, focus, and interest through challenge.

·         Summer staff challenge year-round staff to match what they give

·         Staff challenge the board to match what they raise for an international project

·         Encourage parents or donors to match the camper's summer missions offering

·         Get your sponsoring church involved

      How to do it: With enthusiasm, but don't let hoopla overshadow your purpose. Keep the ministry focus, give it high visibility. Keep it personal by praying for the recipient (it's not just some money going over there somewhere for some mission thing).

6.      Denomination-wide project:
There is strength in numbers! What if all the camps in your association or conference focused on a single goal?

·         Greater results are possible

·         Unifies and inspires

·         Stimulates vision

 How to do it: Contact Global Outreach Group for assistance in identifying a worthy opportunity. Then rally the troops through information and inspiration. Combining your efforts results in exponential impact.

Funds raised can be used for a particular purpose overseas, or used to cover the cost of sending one or more of your staff to the foreign camp.