Eight students participate in summer Camping Inquiry Program
GOSHEN, Ind. — Christian-based summer camps provide sacred places for young people to explore what it means to live faithfully in a Christ-centered community while realizing that care for the earth is an extension of Jesus’ ministry. This summer, nine Goshen College students are working at such camps and retreats throughout the country, leading young people on their faith journeys.
Goshen College’s Camping Inquiry Program (CIP) allows students to spend three months in service with a church-related camp/retreat center. The goal of CIP is to facilitate student engagement with a camping or retreat center and on-site mentor in a meaningful assignment, giving them the opportunity to test whether they might pursue involvement in outdoor ministry after graduation.
The 2012 Goshen College CIP participants are:
Mia Engle, a first-year American Sign Language major from Decatur, Ind., is working at Camp Friedenswald in Cassopolis, Mich. Engle, daughter of Gregory and Nedra Engle, is a 2011 graduate of Adams Central High School.
Tasha Friesen, a sophomore Spanish major from Goshen, Ind., is working at Camp Friedenswald in Cassopolis, Mich. Friesen, daughter of Paul and Bonnie Friesen, is a 2010 graduate of Northridge High School.
Matt Helmuth, a junior Bible and religion major from Elkhart, Ind., is working at Wilderness Wind in Ely, Minn. Helmuth, son of Eric Helmuth and Angela Gingerich, is a 2009 graduate of Kettle Moriane High School, Wales, Wis.
Benson Hostetter, a first-year music major from Harrisonburg, Va., is working at Highland Retreat in Bergton, Va. Hostetter, son of Eric and Janet Hostetter, is a 2011 graduate of Eastern Mennonite High School.
Eva Lapp, a first-year peace, justice and conflict studies major from Goshen, Ind., is working at Camp Squeah in Hope, British Columbia. Lapp, daughter of John and Sandra Lapp, is a 2011 graduate of Bethany Christian High School.
Kimberly Lindgren, a junior nursing major from La Porte, Ind., is working at Amigo Centre in Sturgis, Mich. Lindgren, daughter of David and Susan Lindgren, is a 2009 graduate of La Porte High School.
Brian O’Leary, a junior Bible and religion major from Seattle, Wash., is working at Drift Creek Camp in Lincoln City, Ore. O’Leary, son of Michael and Robbin O’Leary, is a 2009 graduate of Ballard High School.
Marta Troyer, a sophomore elementary education major from Harrisonburg, Va., is working at Highland Retreat in Bergton, Va. Troyer, daughter of Max and Janet Troyer, is a 2010 graduate of Broadway High School.
Now in its 11th year, CIP is a collaborative effort by Goshen College, students’ home congregations and the host camps. With the help of endowments, CIP enables students to participate in a leadership internship and receive a $1,500 scholarship toward their return to college in the fall and students typically receive a summer staff wage.
CIP grew from a donor couple’s life-long interest in camping. Larry and Janet Newswanger, former residents of Goshen and friends of Goshen College, envisioned a camping internship program that would parallel existing programs in congregational ministry and church-sponsored voluntary service.
— By Anna T. Ruth
Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College Assistant Director of Public Relations Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.
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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values — passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership — prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.