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July 14-20, 2009 Formerly a program of the Montana Association of Churches, Sojourners is now offered by Christikon without charge to at-risk youth ages 11-13. It provides opportunity for adventure, community, learning, and growth. It seeks to develop respect for self and others, a sense of life’s meaning, an ability to engage challenges resourcefully, and a sense of wonder, all with trained leaders in Christikon’s mountain wilderness setting.
In the Sojourners program we do not assume any religious or church background, and converting kids to our version of the Christian faith is not our intention. Instead, we hope campers share the experience of having a significant life together infused with friendship and grace, that they might take something of value from the encounter; and we are committed to respect for all campers’ faith traditions and backgrounds of every kind. We believe we can pursue these goals with Sojourners kids within the context of our Mission Statement.
Coordinators for the Sojourners program are Eric Thorson, who serves as pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Billings and who has worked extensively with the Interfaith Hospitality Network, and Julie Donald, who teaches in the Billings school system and who has had significant experience with at-risk youth in a variety of educational (and other) settings. To register a Sojourners camper: There is space for twelve boys and for twelve girls in the Sojourners camp session. For each camper, a confidential Referral Form must be completed by the referring parent or referring agency personnel. To register a camper, first complete the Sojourners Registration Form. Then click on the link to the Referral Form. You may download that form in either Microsoft Word format or in .pdf format, print it out, and mail it to us. Or, if you would prefer to complete the Referral Form online and return it to us as an e-mail attachment, you are welcome to do so, at christikon@aol.com. Or, the Christikon office can also mail you a copy of the Referral Form, for you to complete and mail back to us. Acceptance into the Sojourners program is determined by the Coordinators. Once a child is registered, the Christikon office will send a registration packet to each camper by mail, including information on the camp and what to take, a bus schedule, a Health Form (which will need the signatures of both parent/guardian and a physician), and a Permission to Participate Form (which will need the signature of parent/guardian). The Health Form and Permission to Participate Forms must be mailed back to the Christikon office by no later than June 15. Click here to go to the Sojourners Registration Form Click here to go to the Sojourners Camper Referral Form Click here to return to Camp Session Information Page Questions? Contact Us. |
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Copyright Christikon ● Lutheran Bible Camp, Inc., © 2009. |
Sojourners for
at-risk youth ages 11-13
“At-risk youth” are those who may be experiencing
significant challenges in their lives, or lacking any resources important
for their development. Perhaps there is an absent parent. Perhaps they are
in families who are struggling economically. Perhaps they have shown
declining performance in school, emotional or behavioral problems, or have
experimented with alcohol, drugs, or sexual acting-out. Perhaps they have a
family member who is imprisoned or on parole.
Sojourners campers join together
at Christikon with youth of
the same age who are registered for the camp’s Prospectors 2 session. For campers
in both sessions, their cabin group forms the core of their small-group
experience at camp; and with that group they will be hiking, going on an
overnight away from camp, engaging in Bible studies and discussion, and
working at service projects. All campers and staff together share meals, worship and
numerous recreational and growth activities. Besides the two Christikon
counselors who provide program leadership for each cabin group, an adult
experienced in working with at-risk youth will join each Sojourners
cabin group.
Christikon
is located about two hours south of Big Timber, Montana. (