Base Camp
A base camp is a place where you prepare at and go out from. This is exactly what Mtn2Sea Ministries’ Base Camp will be used for. Base Camp will be a place where people from the southeast will come and learn more about the ministry of Jesus and how it applies to their daily lives. Most that come to the camp, will also be there to put those actions in motion, by serving those in need in our local community.
Camp Purpose
Base Camp will serve many purposes that will all be designed to teach the Gospel of Christ. Base camp will also serve as a facility that Christian groups, non-Christian groups, and organizations can utilize to hold meetings, host team building events, and/or just come and relax.
Base Camp’s primary function will be to host groups that will come to do mission projects locally. More specifically, groups will come in and do service projects (in Jesus' name) for people in need and other ministries and originations that help them. The camp will be able to host around 100-150 participants at one time. The groups that attend will range from youth and college groups, to adult and family groups. During the summer months the camp will host groups throughout the week. During the school year the camp will mainly host weekend groups. We will strive to have a constant flow of groups throughout the year, because the needs do not go away, just because the season changes.
The Facilities
The facilities itself will be extremely modest in appearance and cost. It will however serve its purpose in a great and mighty way. Like most facilities of it kind, it will be able to house around 100 - 150 participants in a single time frame. But unlike most other facilities of its size, Base Camp will not require millions of dollars to build and maintain. Instead we will utilize a unique concept: minimal but functional facilities and rely only on donations instead of borrowing money. Mtn2Sea Ministries will build Base Camp the same way the ministry was built, through the giving of others for the building of His kingdom. We have decided to allow God to bless us when He is ready through His people and to not incur any debt that would potentially cause us financial and other troubles in the future.
Least of These Villages/Garden
Besides the regular housing and service opportunities that we will provide, Base Camp will also offer a additional unique opportunity. Those who are preparing to serve over seas or groups and families who just want to see how a large percentage of the world lives, we will over the Least of These Village. This village will consist of mud huts, lean twos, card board boxes, etc. for their lodging. The village experience will give those who are getting ready to or thinking about serving in the world's poorest areas a feeling for what life is like for those they will encounter. It will also give an opportunity for families and youth groups to get a glimpse of life for those who have much less and a time to count the Blessings they do have. Base Camp will also have a Garden. The garden will not be huge, but rather just large enough to be able to provide help in the way of fresh produce to locals in need.
Land Owners
Mtn2Sea Ministries is ready to start camp! We not only have a Vision for the camp, but we have a plan and the team ready to make it successful. All we need is for God to supply the land. If you are a land owner or know someone who is, please consider letting us use your land to expand His Kingdom. We have volunteers ready to start building Base Camp immediately. The camp can be up and running in a matter of days. All we need is for someone to let us become good stewards of the land He has blessed them with.
The following will describe how the Camp will be set up. Please click on the pictures for an example.
Housing Facilities
Instead of building expensive and permanent housing structures, Base Camp will utilize less expensive and mobile housing options. The guest will be housed in climate controlled shipping containers that will also be used in the off-season for disaster relief work and conferences. Housing will also be furnished in “heavy duty” canvas tents similar to those utilized by the military. These tents will be placed on a deck-type structure and will have electricity and heating and air conditioning capabilities. The tents are very durable and are permanent, but movable, structures. The tents will provide adequate, comfortable, but humble housing. The housing will be fitting for those who desire to truly learn to become a servant as He was (Luke 9:58). (pictures)
Kitchen Facilities
Base Camp will not have any kitchen facilities. This will cut down on capital expenditures, labor costs, and governmental regulations dealing with food preparation. The guest will instead be fed two or three meals daily (depending on what camp they attend) provided by local restaurants or catering businesses. The cost will simply be added to the camper. The meals will be served on site for each meal. (pictures)
Bathroom Facilities
Portable bathroom units will be used, instead of permanent facilities. This will not only save money, but will allow units to be used elsewhere as needed. The units will provide inexpensive and adequate coverage for the facilities need. The bathroom units will also be made available, when not in use, for disaster relief needs and to rent or use at festivals and events. (pictures)
Shower Facilities
Portable shower units, similar to the bathroom units, will be used. These units also provide inexpensive, but adequate coverage for our needs. These can also be made available, when not in use, for disaster relief needs and to rent or use at festivals and events. (pictures)
Activities Facilities
The camp will mainly rely on “God made” activities, such as the beach and other area attractions to help attract groups. This will help us eliminate spending major funds on the construction and maintenance of large facilities. The activities facilities will however consist of inexpensive opportunities that will be designed to build team cohesiveness, provide relaxation, and facilitate spiritual instruction. Base Camp will have a ropes course and a team-building facility that will become known throughout its geographical area for quality and safety. The ministry will construct the course itself and have it certified by industry professionals, thus saving on labor cost. The ministry will also solicit most, if not all of the materials, from donations. This will allow us to have a first-class team-building facility but still keep our budget small and simple. Providing we have the room, Base Camp will also have a paint ball course. The activities facilities will be available for others in the community and those who might just want to come for a day to train and build unity among their group or just have fun. Those not there for a spiritual experience, but to utilize the facilities only, will be allowed to do so, however they will be expected to uphold the spiritual principles of the camp at all time. (pictures)
Base Camp Location
We are currently looking for land opportunities in the form of a donation or a long term inexpensive lease. Fortunately with Base Camp's design, we do not need much land. We only need around 5-10 acres or so, although more would definitely give us more ministry opportunities. With keeping with the objectives of the ministry, we are focusing on land near the coast. Base Camp will rely heavily on the natural settings and will utilize “God made” activities and entertainment for the camp, such as the beach or coastal river. This will not only provide great outdoor adventures and teaching opportunities, but allow us to save money on building and maintaining costly facilities for entertaining. After a long day serving others, campers will be able to relax at the beach, on the river, or even at the local water park. Locating near the coast also will help us draw more groups. There are many mission opportunities out there. Using the wonderful beaches as a selling point, will allow us a greater opportunity to attract groups to come and serve in our community.
Base Camp will be designed to have a very small, non-permanent and reclaimable foot print. The camp can be assembled and dissembled in a short amount of time leaving a small, if any, trace of its existence.