The Story Continues
As this last week of camp comes to an end, it feels like things are wrapping up. Instructions for how to pack up and get luggage to the places to be loaded on the buses are given during breakfast. A final chapel experience and then lunch, load the buses and we’re done.
There will be tears; both campers and counselors will feel the pain of separation. The bonds that have occurred between them are not insignificant. How quickly hearts can attach! The wind down of camp only emphasizes the end is near.
But, is it?
As I ponder what the word for today might be, this comes to mind: “the story continues.” Yes, we are finishing up the week of camp activities, but there is more, so much more.
Someone asked me this week what the impact of camp is for these kids? I responded that that was a great question, and one that is hard to answer. Sometimes we see a change in behavior and attitude over the course of the week here at camp. And then there are times when counselors feel like they didn’t connect at all with their campers, only to have them grab their hand with tears in their eyes and ask them to come home with them as they get on the bus to leave.
One of the coolest things about Royal Family Kids Camp are the kids that come back year after year. Serving as support staff, I have had the opportunity to have all meals at table three, with a seasoned counselor and two returning campers. Both boys had been to camp a couple times before this year. To witness the confidence and comfort they had with the whole camp experience was quite a joy. Two boys who were happy to be here. They were safe and free, just to be boys at camp. There were no labels or categories for them to wear or fit into. Just freedom to enjoy camp.
So what is the impact of all of this? Who can really know? What I do know is God uses every bit of what is offered and done in his name to bless both the giver and receiver. I believe that is the redemptive story. We get to be a part of the continuing redemption of a broken and dark world by sharing the Father’s love with some kids for one short week, knowing that ABBA’s love will bear fruit.
If not today, someday.
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Royal Family Kid’s Camps is an international non-profit organization that provides the foundation for creating week-long camps for campers age 6-11. To learn more about Royal Family Kids corporate, visit them online.
Onward & Upward is our weekend-long retreats for 13-15 year olds. The retreats use a curriculum focusing on character traits of godly men and women. We began this semi-annual program in 2004 with 39 teenagers and 46 volunteers.
SUMMIT is our weekend-long retreats for 16-18 year olds. The curriculum focuses on skills that will help them function better as adults. Examples include managing bank accounts, completing job applications, & mock interviews. We began this semi-annual program in 2007 with 12 teens and 16 volunteers.
RISE is a weekend-long retreat offered in November, one specific for teen boys and another specific for teen girls, ages 12-18. OFC will continue to use a 2:1 teen to counselor ratio at RISE, and the curriculum and activities are designed to help teens build self-esteem and navigate gender-specific issues.
Our Father's Children exists to provide HOPE to children of abuse and neglect in Texas, ages 6-18, in week-long camp settings and weekend retreats. We recruit volunteers from a variety of cities, churches and organizations who have a heart for offering these kids hope in Jesus Christ. Whether as a volunteer or donor (or both), we would love to have you join us in providing hope to these kids!
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