Spiritual Mission
The inspiration for the founding of Camp Fitch, according to the camp's 25th anniversary publication, sprang from the "need of the city boy for a vacation in the out-of-doors under Christian leadership". Today, Fitch's mission reflects the traditional goal of the YMCA: "helping children grow in spirit, mind and body". While campers and staff of many creeds regularly attend camp year round, Christian education and leadership are still built into the core of the camp's mission. Camp staff are expected to "lead by example" by acting in a Christian manner at all times. To encourage this, it provides a Christian Leadership Conference once a year for YCA staff and volunteers. Camp Fitch has set aside several locations on its grounds to help facilitate the spiritual portion of its mission including two outdoor chapels, one indoor chapel, and reflection points for both the Girls' and Boys' camps.
During the summer session, campers attend daily chapel services and a midweek colloquial Vespers service; however, most alumni of Camp Fitch would agree that the spiritual highlight of summer camping period is the unique Candlelight service held at the close of each week. Authored by Raymond L. "Curly" Johnson, Fitch's director from 1928 to 1935, this service blends lessons of character building with Christian themes. Johnson originally conducted the service himself for campers, and the version used today has changed very little from its original form. At the end of the service, attendee's are tasked with setting a personal goal to work towards during his or her time away from Camp Fitch. In 1982 to honor Johnson and his impact on Fitch's spiritual heritage, the camp chapel was renovated and renamed "Curly's Chapel".
Read more about this topic: YMCA Camp Fitch On Lake Erie
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