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    United Methodists of Upper New YorkLiving the Gospel. Being God's Love.


    news article

    All are radically welcomed at Casowasco Camp and Retreat Center

    July 6, 2021 / By Theresa Eggleston

    Editor's Note: This article was originally published in the 2021 Issue I of teh Advocate, which focused on the theme "Celebrating who we are." Click here to read the whole issue. 

    Turning into the driveway filled with green pine trees, guests drive down a winding hill to the welcome center to hear the words, “Welcome Home.” The Upper New York Annual Conference is home to several wonderful camp and retreat ministries. Nestled on the shores of Owasco Lake between Moravia and Auburn is Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center. From summer camp to retreat season, Casowasco strives to live into our unofficial greeting, “Welcome Home.” We hope that every participant, from all backgrounds, is able to feel that this space is safe and holy. It is a place where, not despite our differences, but because of our differences, we are able to live and grow in a community of God’s love with one another. 

    One of the cornerstones of Casowasco’s ministry is intentional radical hospitality. Recognizing our location and demographic, we actively engage the community at large in order to diversify the camp and retreat experience for all participants. We recognize the ever-changing world before us and aspire to be God’s kingdom here on earth. Casowasco connects with organizations such as Syracuse Housing Authority, Unity House, Moravia Middle School, and other local establishments in order to create opportunities for all people to come retreat and camp with us. 

    During the summer months, Casowasco builds a summer staff that fosters this climate. For the past few summers, the majority of Camp & Retreat Ministries in the Upper New York Conference have welcomed staffers from around the world, from the United Kingdom to Uganda to disciple alongside one another. This relationship of living in a community of God’s love across cultural bounds sets a precedent of welcoming campers of all backgrounds.

    This groundwork helps us teach every camper three simple truths.

    1. There is a God
    2. God loves you
    3. God wants a relationship with you

    This environment encourages campers to “try on” different traits they might not have had the opportunity to experience before, from adventurous and cunning, to silly and compassionate. The community created at Casowasco invites children to step outside of their comfort zone in a safe and loving environment that openly welcomes their race, religion, gender, and socio-economic background.

    The summer of 2019 gave staff and campers the opportunity to experience transforming communities through our Bible study curriculum. Chapel skits were based off of the ever popular TV show Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. On Tuesday, campers learned about the theme, inclusion. The camp community learned how “... radical acts of inclusion challenge conformity to this world’s practices of exclusion.”1  During evening chapel, campers watched a clip from 1969 where Officer Clemmons and Mr. Rogers cool off their feet in a pool together. The message that night talked about why this clip was important in 1969 and why it is still important today.

    On Thursday, campers learned about justice through the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. During the evening chapel message, campers learned about the difference between equality and equity. The visual aid showed three people of various heights watching a baseball game over a wooden paneled fence. The tallest could see over the fence while the two shorter could not see at all. Equality was shown by giving each person a stool. Equity was shown by giving each person a different sized stool to accompany their varying heights. Justice was shown by changing the fence from wooden panels to wire so that each height difference could see the baseball game.

    These various themes throughout the summer camp curriculum helped campers and staff learn that we have the power and autonomy to be agents of change to transform communities we live in today.

    Casowasco believes that being an agent of change to transform our communities can happen at any age. That is why we provide opportunities for people of all ages to come to camp. Through Family camp, Summershine, Mother-Daughter, and Father-Son participants of all ages and generations are encouraged to come and enjoy what camp has to offer. These programs welcome families of all kinds to grow and live in the kingdom of God that is here and now.   

    With each participant that comes down Casowasco’s driveway, whether it be summer or retreat season, it is our passion to welcome them with radical hospitality that celebrates the diverse tapestry of God’s kingdom. It is with every effort that every person here experiences the words, “Welcome Home.”


    With more than 100,000 members, United Methodists of Upper New York comprises of more than 675 local churches and New Faith Communities in 12 districts, covering 48,000 square miles in 49 of the 62 counties in New York state. Our vision is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places."