About The Vineyard Camp

How We Got Here

The Vineyard is dedicated to teaching children and youth about God, His love for them and Christ’s call to discipleship. Through our staff we hope to demonstrate not only character and integrity, but also holy living and how to love one another–just as GOD loves us. Most of our campers come from Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant backgrounds, but a child of any (or no) conviction is welcomed.
The Vineyard Camp, therefore, is an inter-denominational ministry for children and youth. We are a non-profit (501(c) 3) corporation unaffiliated with any other organization including those bearing the name Vineyard Churches, Vineyard Music, and Vineyard Ministries. The Vineyard was founded in 1983 and includes a Board of Directors who meet regularly to help fulfill the camp founder’s (Dean Barley) vision and ministry. The Vineyard is a conservative, evangelical, international camp, retreat center, and ministry that operates out of Westfield, North Carolina.
Because of our commitment to Jesus Christ and based upon the camp’s original vision, The Vineyard only hires staff who profess to follow and endorse the orthodox Christian faith.
All Staff at The Vineyard are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with Christian principles regardless of their denomination or position in the camp.
During the summer, an overall theme for the summer is shared through the “Morning Watch” (a fifteen minute devotion following breakfast) and evening vespers (a fifteen minute devotion following the last activity of the night) and individual cabin devotions. Optional question and answer times are also provided at the Camp Director’s home during the evenings. Throughout the summer, an apologetic approach to the Christian faith is provided that challenges the campers to intellectually consider not only what they believe, but how they can be sure of their faith in God and Jesus Christ.
“Many people go through years of seeking the pleasure of enjoying all that the world has to offer only to end up disillusioned and defeated. Our purpose is to show them that by seeking the Kingdom of God one can enjoy both heaven and earth; and that by seeking the earth alone, you get neither”. — C.S. Lewis