Frequently Asked Questions

What is your primary focus?

• LMCC seeks to serve ministries, Christian schools and churches in the city of Pittsburgh and its surrounding neighborhoods by providing week-long residential summer camps for children ages 8 to 12; as well as weekend retreats in the spring and fall, serving entire organizations and families.  Summer camps will run from Sunday afternoon to Friday afternoon. 
• LMCC wants kids to know Christ and grow in Christ by providing opportunities to become aware of their God-given identity, history and gifts. 
• LMCC wants children to be safe and have fun in God’s creation. 
• LMCC desires that urban ministry leaders have a place to be refreshed and encouraged while enjoying a new setting and learning opportunities. 
• Our aim is to promote reconciliation as we live out Christ’s mandate to “love one another”, and by actively seeking to bridge the gap between races and communities. 

What size camp will you have?

• Our goal for summer 2010 is to offerup to eight weeks of residential camp for approximately 80 campers per week, supported by four full-time staff (Executive Director, Program Director, Administrator/Registrar and a Property Manager). 
• In addition, we will be hiring two counselors per cabin, for a total of 16 (8 guys, 8 girls), two senior counselors (one man, one woman), and a supervisory staff consisting of:  arts & crafts coordinator, waterfront coordinator, creative communication coordinator, summer administrative assistant, and outdoor exploration coordinator.   We will also hire hourly staff, as follows:  two to four food service staff, two to four lifeguards, and two to four facilities staff to cover the needs in landscaping and maintenance. 
• Our summer camp size will be about 140 on site, including urban leaders from our organizational partners.
• Our weekend retreats could serve 60-80 guests, including family members, volunteers and local hourly food service staff.

How will the camp be financially supported?

We are a 501C3, non-profit religious (Christian) corporation.  Our financial support comes from a foundation established by a generous Christian couple; the husband recently retired from leading a major corporation based in Pittsburgh.  This camp is one of their numerous gifts to Pittsburgh and to advance Christ’s Kingdom.

Will there be any guest groups or rental income?

We do not intend to have this be a major part of our ministry.  We want our primary focus to be on Pittsburgh’s underrepresented children and those who serve them.  We are happy to accommodate other groups when the facility is not in use.  Contact Jenn for further information.

Where is the camp located and what facilities are available?

• We are 1 hour Southeast of Pittsburgh, off the Donegal exit of the PA Turnpike, in a town called Rector.  The camp is situated in both Ligonier and Cook Townships in Westmoreland County.  Ligonier is the closest well-known city. 
• The camp is right below Laurel Ridge in the Laurel Highlands of  southwestern PA, and sits at an elevation of 1300’.  We are close to many amazing resources, such as Powdermill Nature Reserve, the Laurel Highlands Trail (a 78-mile backpacking trail), Linn Runn State Park, Seven Springs Ski Resort, whitewater rafting and fly fishing on the Loyalhanna Creek, Idlewild Park, Storybook Forest and Fort Ligonier.  Temperatures range in the mid 80s to low 90s in summer, with cool evenings due to the elevation.  It snows here!
• The camp is 125 acres of woods with some fields, wetlands and a lake.  It was previously owned and operated by the Girls Scouts of Western PA.  Prior to that, it was a Boy Scout camp.  It was a rustic camp with tent camping, pit toilets and outdoor sinks.  The camp is divided by a high quality stream call the Loyalhanna Creek.
• Camp renovations have included a lake expansion, addition of sewage treatment and new well, and the building of a dining hall, sports pavilion, 10 cabins, pool house and a pool, complete with covered water slides and a splash zone.

How do I get to the camp?

Take the PA Turnpike to Exit 91 (Donegal).  After exiting the toll booth, turn LEFTonto Rt. 31 E.  Travel 2.8 miles and then make a Left onto Rt. 381 N (Look for blue signs for "Powder Mill Nature Reserve" just before the turn).  Travel 6.7 miles, Rt. 381 makes a sharp turn to the left, but you will go straight onto Weavers Mill Rd.  The Camp is located 1.4 miles on your Left. 

What is your statement of faith?

We are a non-denominational evangelical organization.  We believe the Bible is God’s authoritative word for all time.  We believe in a triune God.  We believe that Jesus is fully God and fully man.  We believe that we are saved by faith in Christ alone because of His grace and atoning sacrifice on the cross for our sins.  We believe that Christ will return one day.  We believe that the Holy Spirit gives gifts and abilities, but that no specific gift is a sign or indication of one’s salvation.  We believe that a community of prayer, fellowship, worship and service is what God desires for all believers to develop and to participate in.  We also believe that every Christian is called to share their faith in Jesus and to be a part of making disciples.