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Creation Camp is a unique and intensely meaningful week of living in spiritual community for teens from 6th through 12th grade, and a  significant ministry to youth. Creation Camp is the only camping experience offered to the youth of our Diocese. 

Begun 18 years ago as a ministry of St. Mark’s, Penn Yan, Creation Camp has grown into a diocesan youth event  beloved both by the teens who attend and the members of the staff. Creation Camp in its early years served mostly St. Mark’s young people and their friends. Over time it grew as an outreach ministry. Presently St. Mark’s  continues their sponsorship of Creation Camp in partnership with the Southeast District; Christ Church, Corning; and the Diocese. St. Mark’s pays the camp’s insurance; the congregation donates funds from their operating budget to support camp each year, as well as raising money for camp scholarships. Parishioners raised $1,810.00 for 2007 scholarships. 

The camp’s intention was to be a place where teens could live in spiritual community for a week, learning what it is to be accepted for who you are, while exploring their own creativity and spiritual selves. While it is a “church sponsored” camp it doesn’t feel like a “traditional” church camp. Morning Prayer is offered each day but is optional and a Tai Ji Eucharist is celebrated on the last day of camp, also optional. The majors and minors that the kids can take are all related to the arts—drama, music, visual arts, Tai Ji, Chinese calligraphy, song–writing, storytelling etc. Attendance averages 63 young people. Some are from the Episcopal Church and others from varied backgrounds. 

The experience is so positive that many who go to Creation Camp return year after year and, as soon as they are eligible, comeback to be counselors. For many, Creation Camp is the highlight of their summer. “We provide a safe place for them to be who they are, to express themselves and to learn what it is to be loved unconditionally, just for who you are” says the Rev. C. Denise Yarbrough. The cardinal rule “no put downs” is respected and the young people work to make camp a place where everyone feels accepted and included. Reading campers evaluations one senses the importance of this experience: “best week of the year,” “my heaven on earth,” and “can’t wait to  some back next year.” 

The positive experience is reflected in the staff who return. Staff members, Scott Carrino and Steve Duprey have participated for 18 years. Current Director, Jan Farnsworth, and the entire Farnsworth family have been active for 17 years. Family participation includes Marie Fessler, staff, and her daughters, Natalie and Gwendolyn Olton. These former campers now staff members. 

Creation Week Camp 2008 will be held next year at Camp Koinonia, Italy Valley Road, Middlesex, NY, from Sunday, June 29 thru Friday, July 4, 2008. A number of campers attend on scholarship. For more information contact: St. Mark’s, Penn Yan, at Tel.:315.536.3955; e-mail: pystmarks@verizon.net  ;or contact Camp Director Janet Farnsworth at: jebfarns@infoblvd.net.