Kids In Creation - Proposal

(Click here to view the full proposal as an Adobe PDF)

The Need:
The majority of America’s youth are growing up indoors. Man has developed a plethora of sophisticated luxuries which protect us from the inconveniences of nature, and distract us from it with nearly irresistible forms of entertainment. The ramifications of such a lifestyle are leaving us with record breaking levels of obesity and serious questions concerning the mental, social, and spiritual development of our children. Kids in Creation is especially concerned about the spiritual consequences of a nation’s youth who are not connecting with God through His creation. Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”

We believe many Americans now have an “excuse.” The majority of today’s young people have rarely, if ever, “clearly seen” God through what He has made. Over time, humanity has learned to accept the various, generational lifestyle changes that occur from less and less time spent in nature. But we cannot accept, even for spiritual reasons alone, seeing a generation grow up without ample opportunities to physically, mentally and spiritually experience what God has made.

The Solution:
We must first surface this need. Surprisingly, most leaders and parents are unaware of the seriousness of our present situation. This condition has come upon our society so gradually, over the last few centuries, that the ridiculousness of our current de-naturalized state is being tolerated almost without notice. Christian leaders and parents of youth must be awoken to the dramatic spiritual need of those they serve. Books, magazine articles, seminars and day to day conversations igniting our passion in the hearts of leaders, and the leaders of leaders, are on the rise partly as a result of Kids in Creation efforts. This must continue and expand until every child has someone arranging for them to experience God’s creation first-hand.

As Pastors, youth pastors, camp directors, Christian educators and parents begin to understand the importance of seeing their youth in God’s creation, they need a qualified source where they can receive the appropriate council, training and funding in order to respond to the need. Because so many organizations and leaders have undervalued the need for creation for so long, they are now generally unprepared to meet this need. They need qualified outdoor leaders to guide them with expert consultation and hands on training that prepares these individuals and their organizations for the task at hand. This means building a network of qualified outdoor leaders who can minister in this way across the nation. This means implementing proven curriculum for a variety of circumstances so no subculture is left out. As Christian leaders and Christian organizations become more sensitive to this need, Kids in Creation will be there to help them answer the question, “How?”

In some cases, leaders and organizations need more than advice and training to get the job done. Many of our nation’s youth can not afford the “luxury” of experiencing God’s creation firsthand. Kids in Creation provides scholarships for underprivileged youth and grants to organizations that need assistance to start new outdoor programs.

Our Strategic Plan to Meet the Need:
After acquiring the necessary funds, Kids in Creation’s first phase of action will involve:

First Phase: Scholarships for individuals to access God’s Creation through qualified adventure camps. This will not only provide new opportunities for youth, but will also help build relationships with providing organizations and individuals who can play a roll in Phase 2. Continuing to build a network of Christian outdoor leaders who are dedicated to communicating the need. Awakening Pastors, Youth Pastors, Christian Educators, and parents to the critical need our youth have to connect with God through Creation. Alerting them to the need through writing and speaking and then leading them to resources they can utilize.

Second Phase: Developing new adventure programs at traditional camps. Kids in Creation will supply consultants to those organizations considering the implementation of more creation in their programs and be able to provide the training needed for the new program. In some cases Kids in Creation will also provide the leadership staff and program grants necessary to get them started.

We will be utilizing established relationships with adventure camps across the country (see one of our sites: christianadventurecamps.org for a list) to implement campership programs for underprivileged campers. No camp will receive more than 20% of Kids in Creation funds designated toward scholarships and campers will receive financial assistance to attend these camps based on criteria established by Kids in Creation. As Kids in Creation becomes recognized as a provider of Christian-led adventures, we will have more influence among traditional camps and be invited to help establish adventure programs where we can consult leadership, train staff and grant funds.

Third Phase: The process of aiding traditional camps will build Kids in Creation’s capacity to serve. We will have a greater network of qualified Christian leaders to draw from in establishing regional Kids in Creation Stations. Each station will serve its area by training and supplying gear to individuals and their organizations. These stations will also give Kids in Creation the power to lead local youth adventures from time to time.

Measurable Outcomes for the First Phase:
Kids in Creation’s campership program will include an annual review of each participating camp to insure that funds are being well spent. The camp will show an account of each campership dispersed and provide the access needed to assess the quality of their program according to Kids in Creation standards. Each camper who received financial assistance will be asked to fill out an evaluation questionnaire. (A minimum of 80% response rate is required.) Campers, parents and staff will be interviewed on a random basis.

The camp will also allow a Kids in Creation representative the freedom to participate in their program with little to no notice. Up to 4 of these potentially spontaneous visits may occur within one year. Each annual review will be summarized by a 1 to 5 score (5 being excellent) in four categories. Any camp receiving less than a score of 4 in more than two categories or a 2 or less in any one category will automatically receive a secondary review before further funding is allowed. The 4 categories to be evaluated are:
1. Potential to Inspire Spiritual Growth: Staff Maturity, Preparedness, Commitment, Programs.
2. Use of Creation: Quality of Adventures, Daily Implementation of Creation, Quality of Quiet.
3. Camper Satisfaction: Fun, Food, Fulfillment.
4. Organizational Quality: Effective Leadership, Efficient Systems/Procedures, Integrity of Operations, Safe Systems and Procedures, Maintenance of Facilities and Equipment.

Organizational History:
With nearly 30 years of camp directing experience, in 2004 Kids in Creation was founded in memory of Jason Allen and Lindsay Cutshall. They were Christian adventure guides dedicated to seeing youth experience God through His creation and they were working toward establishing a new Christian adventure camp. Jason and Lindsay were murdered in Jenner, California a few weeks before their wedding. With their same passion to see youth in nature, Kids in Creation has structured a national strategy, established its leadership, incorporated as a 501(c)3, developed relationships with kindred camps across the country, and is ready for its first functional phase of ministry.

Timing: The only barrier holding Kids in Creation from entering its first phase is financial.

Budget Summary and Plan:
Kids in Creation is fashioned and its budget is structured so that every possible dollar is spent toward more opportunities for youth to encounter God through creation.

Budge 2007-2008	(estimated in Thousands)
I. Staff Salaries, Wages, and Benefits	20
II. Office Space and Utilities	3
III. Campership fund dispersal	105
IV. Supplies and Materials	6
V. Travel and Conferences	8
VI. Other Miscellaneous:	6
TOTAL:	148

Summary:
You can offer us tremendous help as we take one of our first pioneering steps toward making a significant impact on America. It will be financial gifts that transform Kids in Creation from having great ideas into making a significant impact.

We are very open to any evaluation, input, or ideas you are willing to give, and would be very excited to work toward an ongoing partnership. We are eager to discuss this proposal with you and stand ready to provide any additional information which will assist you in your decision-making. Thank you.