Camping Ministry Degree
Furthering the Gospel through Outdoor Recreation
Throughout the Bible, God used the outdoors to challenge, teach, grow, and renew His people. Today, God is dramatically transforming lives for eternity through camp and recreation ministry.
The bachelor's degree in Camping Ministry at Appalachian Bible College offers you a well-rounded, Biblically-based curriculum in residential, adventure, and environmental programming. Since you will also receive an accredited Bachelor of Bible / Theology through this unique double major program, you will get the very best training to serve in God's creation for God's glory.
The ABC Advantage
Our Program
Outdoor experiences abound in West Virginia! You will have access to world-class recreation in the New River Gorge and surrounding region:
- whitewater rafting
- kayaking
- rock climbing & rappelling
- mountain biking
- hiking & backpacking on the Appalachian Trail
Alpine Ministries, an extension camp ministry of Appalachian Bible College, provides an opportunity to put into practice what you learn in class. You will be able to utilize the onsite facilities and serve in leadership roles to further develop your personal philosophy of camping.
Skill Classes make ABC’s Camping Ministry degree stand out as a top program in the U.S. These are experiential courses in which you'll learn practical skill development along with leadership training. Some classes give you the opportunity to earn nationally-recognized certifications. You will use each activity as a ministry tool to illustrate Biblical truth.
More than fifteen Skill Classes include:
- Backpacking
- Outdoor Leadership
- High Ropes Course
- Wild Caving
- Whitewater Rafting
- Canoeing
- Ecology
- Wilderness First Aid
- Horsemanship
- Rock Climbing
Our Faculty
Mr. John Skaggs - Camping Ministry Chair
When I came to ABC for the one-year Bible Certificate, I took a camping class and discovered how powerful the outdoor setting could be in imparting biblical truth. The idea of using the outdoors to point people to Christ and His Word ignited a fire in my heart.
Christian camping has proven to be a great tool for evangelism, discipleship, and leadership training. I am committed to training camping leaders who will go around the world to reach their generation for Christ.
Connect with me!
Why Camping Ministry?
Overview
Where will this generation find a safe place without distractions to build relationships and consider God’s plan for their lives? In a world starved for genuine relationships and authentic Christianity, Christian camping is a powerful tool that assists local churches in the Great Commission.
“I chose the ABC Camping Major because I made a life-changing decision at camp and I want to impact others in
the same way.”
-Camping student
Career Ministry Opportunities
A bachelor's degree in Bible / Theology and Camping Ministry gives you the opportunity to serve as a
- Camp / Conference Center Director
- Program / Recreation Director
- Environmental Education Director
- Guest Services Director
- Foreign Missionary Camp Director
- Youth Ministry Director / Pastor
Objectives & Outcomes
| You will be trained in… | Leading to… |
|---|---|
| a Biblically-based philosophy of camp ministry | the implementation of outdoor ministry rooted in God's Word. |
| the theory and practice of experience-based learning | the ability to design intentional experiences to communicate God's truth. |
| methods of planning, developing, and supervising a camp ministry | an understanding of the management and administration of a camp. |
| evangelism, discipleship, and leadership development within the camp setting | competent and professional Christian leaders upon graduation. |
