JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—To broaden its appeal to girls and young women, Florida Baptist Girls in Action (GA) and Acteens camp is getting a new name but keeping the same quality mission focus that has been its hallmark.

The new name, “Camp WorldLight,” is based on Matt. 5:14-16 and was chosen to reflect the camp’s mission statement, “I am lighting lights that will light the world.”

“Our programming and mission will continue as it always has,” said camp director Sharon Thompson. “We are still focused on leading girls and young women to Christ and helping them find their place in fulfilling the Great Commission to share the Gospel with 1.48 billion people who have never heard about Jesus.

“Our focus continues to be the developing of young women of excellence who will be committed and passionate about taking the light of Jesus into the darkness of the world,” Thompson said.

The name change had been in process for about five years, Thompson explained. Although camp attendance was never limited to girls who were members of GAs or Acteens organizations, there was a “perception among churches that girls who were not members of these organizations could not attend our camp.”

The new name is expected to draw other girls in the church and community, Thompson said.

“Every girl is a beautiful creation of God. Our goal at Camp WorldLight is to help each one see herself through God’s eyes and by shining His light into every aspect of her life—her thoughts, her actions her relationships, her feelings and into her heart,” Thompson added.

In 2004, 324 campers made first-time professions of faith, 233 campers were called to career missions, and 72 campers made other spiritual commitments.

The camp has earned the accreditation of the American Camping Association and is staffed by young women who have gone through an extensive training and screening process.

Thompson, with 25 years of camping experience and a doctor of philosophy degree in child and adolescent psychology, has directed the Florida Baptist camps since 1993. She also serves as assistant professor of psychology and counseling and missions coordinator at William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Miss.

The six weeks of camp for girls entering grades 3–12 is set for Blue Springs Baptist Conference Center in Marianna during June 6–10, June 13–17 and June 20–24; and at Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center in Leesburg June 27–July 1; July 4–8; and July 11–15.

The camping experience includes a culture camp, praise and worship, drama, sign language, clowning, puppets, sailing, canoeing and swimming. Rope courses and team-building activities are available for teens. The camp cost of $190 is underwritten by the Maguire State Missions Offering.

For more information, call the Women’s Missions and Ministries Department of the Florida Baptist Convention, 800-226-8584, ext. 3142, or e-mail Callen@flbaptist.org.