As the saying goes: "A good salesman can sell a product, but a good product can sell itself."

That is certainly the case of Camp Hope, a Christian-based camp that has been held every summer for more than 30 years. It needs no promotion, but every year it is fully subscribed months prior.

"We take applications as they come," said Dean Furbert, director and secretary of Hope Ministries which stages the camp for youngsters from seven years and up every July.

"That makes it fair for everybody, otherwise new people wouldn't get in. Everybody understands that and already the camp is about a third full."

This year's camp (ages seven-12 for junior camp and 12 and over for teen camp) will be held from July 15 to 27 at Paget and Hen Island in St. George's.

There is the option for children to attend either the first or second weeks or both weeks at a fee of $130 per week. Two or more in a family will receive a ten percent discount. Parents are urged to register early to avoid disappointment as applications will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis once applications and full fees are received.

"Our focus is to present Jesus Christ as the only hope, the only saviour and the only opportunity we have for a real life change," said Mr. Furbert, an elder at Crawl Gospel Hall, who has been involved with the camp since its inception in 1969.

Over the years Camp Hope has provided spiritual guidance for scores of young boys and girls, some who, as parents themselves, are now enrolling their own children in the camp.

The camp's motto "We have this hope as an anchor for our hearts, it is safe and sure" is in Hebrews 6:19.

"Our first camp was held at Port's Island in '69 and we had a group of five committee members representing various brethren churches in Bermuda," explained Mr. Furbert.

"I was appointed the director at that time and have been director ever since. The committee has been extended to eight members now, with three younger members.

"All of the founding committee members were persons who worked with young people in Sunday school and youth groups. The roots of the camp came out of a trip taken by a group of Christians in Bermuda who went to Philadelphia in 1968 to another camp and came back with the idea that we should establish something for Bermuda. That's how it got started."

As a church leader and former educator Mr. Furbert has been impacting on young people's lives for many years. He began as a science teacher at St. George's Secondary in 1958 and later became the principal of Francis Patton School and Dellwood. Prior to his recent retirement he was the Chief Education Officer.

"I've always enjoyed working with children and do believe that if you can expose children to truth, in an environment that is sensitive to their needs, children will choose what is best for them," said the camp director.

"And the spirit of God operates and directs people to make the right choices. We provide a wide range of activity...sports, various types of games - outdoor and indoor - singing and fishing.

"Fishing is a big sport, something that the kids like and we have our own 53-foot boat which enables us to take the kids on cruises and also for fishing out in the ocean which is a lot of fun."

Over the years Camp Hope have used various camping facilities all over the Island and in recent years have used Paget Island mostly.

"Last year we went west and camped on Darrell's and Grace Island, which is a new camping facility and we wanted to try it out, but this year we go back to Paget Island in St. George's," explained Mr. Furbert.

Already the brochure for this year's camp has been printed and distributed and the 100 spots are expected to go fast. Last year they catered to about 125 campers of various ages.

"Really it's by word of mouth that the word gets around," said Mr Furbert.

"There has been a great demand this year for brochures. If we had a facility that was large enough we could accommodate many, many more campers."

Other committee members are Steven Powell (treasurer), MacDonald Tucker (assistant treasurer), Mark Robinson (boat maintenance and registration), Gladwin Packwood (chief pilot/first aid), Charles Robinson (music director), Theodore Providence (equipment supervisor) and Belvin Hayward (food provision manager).

"The average is 100, we try to accommodate as many as we can and every year we are always over-subscribed," added the director.

"It is essentially a brethren camp and we have members from other church groups. One of the satisfying outcomes of the camp is over the years young people who have grown up in the camp have committed themselves to serving in the camp as young adults, a lot of boys and lot of girls as well.

"It provides a training ground for character building and leadership. They direct the sports and the camp fire activities, working in the kitchen and doing crafts." Mr. Furbert admits it is very satisfying to see youngsters go on to become responsible young adults.

"They go on to college and get their degrees and serve the community, not just in their professional life but as Christians," he pointed out.

"That's what we need to bring to bear, our relationship with Jesus Christ affects the way they live. Many of them have gotten married, have families and are sending their children to the camp."

Fifteen-year-old Sher-Keia Outerbridge has been going to the camp since she was 11 and looks forward to it every year. She has already been identified as a leader amongst her peers and is a counsellor in training.

"It's nice, we learn a lot of stuff and the young people are teaching the young children," said Sher-Keia who says she enjoys making new friends.

"That's what I enjoy, meeting new people and seeing how they act and change. We have a fishing day, mini Cup Match with the younger children and teens and sports day with our flags."

Other functions of Camp Hope is a youth retreat, youth tours, training in counselling and teaching, preaching and leadership.

"We try to do a youth retreat every year and we are planning a tour to the United States this year and anybody interested can give us a call," said Mr. Furbert.

"We provide opportunities for young people to go overseas to serve in other camps and we also offer a preaching course which I conduct myself. "There is a tremendous sacrifice made by a lot of people to serve the young people, no one is on salary. It takes a lot to put it together, the committee works all year."

One of the aims of Hope Ministries is to replace their boat which is showing signs of age.

"This boat has served us extremely well, it's an old Navy boat going back to the War days and we would like to get a modern, purpose-built boat," said Mr. Furbert who noted that going out on the boat is one of the highlights for the children.

"Every year on the Sunday afternoon we take the boat to a certain area and then we go on a nature walk for a couple of miles. Mr (Gladwin) Packwood is the pilot."