Campus By the Sea

I went to Campus By The Sea this year for the first time, and spent a week being loved on and blessed by the Friesens and their carefully chosen staff. Camp would not be the same without their leadership and guidance, and I ask that Intervarsity reconsiders their decision to have them step down.

This always refreshed me in the middle of the year to go out and live life the way I should with God. This camp along with the people I've met makes it the best family tradition for any family in search of time with God and his disciples.

Keep the family in camp

CBS was a great experience! Not only did I enjoy meeting new people and fun activities but the people and staff helped me grow in my faith and strengthen my relationship with Christ.

The Friesen's are amazing people who have greatly shaped and impacted the successfulness of Campus By The Sea. God used this camp to bring people to Christ and create life bonds between friends at the camp I pray you reconsider the difficult decision that was made to discontinue Campus By The Sea. Thank you and God bless.

I've been to CBS every year since I was 4, this summer would be my 13th consecutive year. It doesn't seem real that someone would want to end such a wonderful ministry, especially if they have ever attended and witnessed how this camp changes people. In a society where sin is accepted and laws constantly being changed to accept new behaviors, it is hard for young christians to stay firm in their faith. Paul and Virginia are such a light in my life, providing this safe place where everyone can go and be renewed and encouraged about how to face obstacles as Christians in today's world.

The Friesens are the most amazing people and I love that they have been running Campus by the Sea for 40 plus years and I would be devastated if they stoped running the camp. And me and my family will not be attending the camp if the Friesens are not running it.

This means so much to me, and my family! When we heard the news, we were sad, and actually quite dissapointed in Intervarsity. Please don't take this amazing place away from us.

This is the first place I ever encountered true community that mirrored Jesus as a new believer. Paul and Virginia who run this are my relatives, and I'm so honored and proud of what they host on Catalina Island every year. God moves beautifully through the hearts of every one who attends this special family camp and it would be a true shame if it were to be no longer.

Campus by the Sea, under the uncompromising directorship of Paul and Virginia Friesen, has been a mainstay in my personal life and the life of my marriage and family. Their faithfulness to the ministry the Lord has entrusted them has been a model for which we have been inspired to replicate in our local body of believers. Many speak of CBS as "heaven on earth"...we have witnessed time and again the microcosm of the kingdom of God at work in that sacred cove...the unity of believers that Jesus prays to the Father in John 17.

Please don't take this special thing away!

I have been to Family Camp and the experience cannot be duplicated. It would be a personal loss if this camp was no longer available for spiritual growth in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our family is just sad...sad of the end of meaningful traditions our family has experienced over the past 8 years. -The joy of receiving the registration information in the mail and making 10 reminders that we got it postmarked ON February 1st -The camaraderie in loading and unloading the Catalina Express -Painting a banner as a visual reminder of how the Lord impressed on our heart -Meaningful conversations over a thoughtfully prepared shared meal -The intentionality of everything -Milk carton boat races-the picture of what led us to ask someone about CBS in the first place -The excitement of the boat ride there and sorrow on the way back -The royal welcome as we disembarked Catalina Express -Virginia's encouragement as we asked her after her first time what do we do next since we are the first Christians in our family---"You plant and begin your own family tree." -The meaningful way in which Paul and Virginia would refresh us as a couple and as a family. -The natural beauty of God's Creation -The "rocky" shoreline -Bathroom conversations while waiting for a free shower -CBS staff that went above and beyond the year I was sick, transporting me to the clinic at Avalon -Day trips to Avalon with the joy of returning to heaven on earth at the end of the day -Celebrating the accomplishment of the first time hikes of each of my kids when going to Avalon -Virginia's book talks -The place where I knew my children would hear God's design for sex and marriage. -Dancing and seeing the wholesome opportunities of our teens learn to appropriately dance with others for the first time -Candy-Paul's candy being thrown at us -Paul and Virginia's costumes on game night -The beauty in the background as our Lord was worshipped around the campfire -The cues of the songs so the little ones could go to bed -Witnessing ministry going on all over-on a bench, at the playground, at the mirrors in the bathroom (ladies), on the beach -Amazing family camp staff-careful

I, my husband Don, our kids, and our kids kids have been there when Paul and Virginia were the leaders at Family camp. We have no complaints, but have profited from their leadership and the whole programs under their leadership. We would be happy for them to continue on.

I grew up going to CBS family camps! What a wonderful ministry! :)

We have invested a great deal of our lives in CBS due to Family Camp (been to Family Camp 18 of the last 19 years!) & the godly leadership of the Friesens, including having a daughter working there year-round for nearly 2 years after college (she ran the kitchen for several months in the Spring of 2015). She & one of our sons were VERY involved in IVCF at SDSU due to their introduction to it at Family Camp. We donated time when extra labor was needed in the kitchen (like our youngest daughter giving up most of her Spring break her senior year in HS to work at CBS) as well as coming out to help replace a bridge, etc. We love CBS & the people who work there. The Friesens' family camp is the main reason. It is unique, biblically-based, & God-honoring. Why IVCF would want anything different at their camp is mystifying & a little disturbing. The Friesens virtually maxed out the camp occupation 6 weeks of the summer. According to my daughter who worked there year-round, Family Camps were the fullest weeks of the year. IVCF needs to revisit this decision!

My parents brought me as a kid and I went as an adult. Both times what influenced me was seeing believers of different stripes with the one thing we have in common—Christ.

Paul and Virginia's CBS Family Camp has been built upon such a beautiful foundation that has been able to place a Spirit-filled, solid satellite office in each of our families homes. Every year after Family Camp, we have been able to bring home more of God and less of the world. Trusting in Him to place it on hearts to allow Family Camp to continue under the leadership of the Friesen's.

This camp has meant the world to my best friend and her family over the years. It changed her life and it would be such a shame for something as wonderful as this to end.

We are distraught at the idea of no family camp CBS led by the Friesens in the future. Their experience and wisdom is very rare. I appreciate how they choose and disciple the staff who impact the lives of our children,. I am also thankful for their guidance as we endeavor to raise our children in the way of the Lord. After more than 40 years leading family camp, they should be honored for their faithfulness. This whole situation is heartbreaking.