Starfish Community

In Uzbekistan a court has convicted three Baptist leaders of tax evasion for nonprofit summer camps they run for hundreds of children each year. According to WORLD magazine Dec. 5, they were also charged with teaching religion to children without parents’ permission. Pavel Peychev, president of the Baptist Union of Uzbekistan, along with two other Baptist leaders, Elana Kurbatova and Dmitriy Pitirimov, will have to pay a fine of approximately $17,000, which amounts to about 260 times the average monthly minimum wage. Uzbekistan has a record of making life difficult for Christians. Churches are required to register with the government, which controls religious activities. Many churches operate underground.

Source: Christian Camp and Conference Association E-Newsletter Volume 10, Number 24 December 17, 2009 www.ccca.org/tm/tm.html

Rick, Do you do or work with Summer Camps being run outside the US? If so, how do you engage or partner with others for the Summer Camps?

Mike, I do some work for camps who are outside of the U.S. It depends on what level of work they are needing. Much of what I do is through the consultative relationship on developing and implementing site and facilities, as well as programs and activities and other initiatives. We are currently working with Kids Across Africa, a Christian camping group that is being launched in Rwanda.