As we reflect on the past ten weeks, we are praising God for His goodness and faithfulness as we were able to continue running Summer Day Camp! Below are a few facts about the program this year:
- 99 rising 1st – 5th grade campers
- 7 middle school “Junior Crew” volunteers
- 6 High School Staff
- 32 Interns (served as Counselors, Bible Teachers, and Academic Teachers)
- 8 volunteer tutors
- Each student received breakfast, lunch, and a snack each day
This year’s program included 2 weeks of training for interns and 8 weeks of Camp with students. Camp was held at Provident Charter School in Troy Hill. Being in a school building was such a blessing after many of the students had been learning virtually for the past year and a half. Each morning was filled with math, literacy, and Bible classes. We saw over 80% of students maintain or improve their skills in math and literacy. Spiritually, we saw 14 students make a first-time commitment to Christ and 30 rededicated their lives!
Jeremiah as a rising 5th grader
Jeremiah as a rising 1st grader
There are so many praise reports that we could share about this summer, but one stands out the most. Jeremiah has been a student with us since he was in Kindergarten and has always been a faithful attendant of Summer Day Camp. We can remember him as a rising first grader showing up every day in his floaty vest and giant goggles (even when he was not going to the pool). However, he was also a frequent visitor to the office which usually resulted in him going home or being suspended. Every summer was the same. Fast forward now to Camp 2021. After a year of lock down, isolation, and navigating a pandemic, we were unsure what to expect from students, behaviorally and socially. Our prayer for Jeremiah specifically (now a rising 5th grader) was that he would make it the whole way through Camp without getting expelled, something he had yet to accomplish. There were several times this summer where we saw Jeremiah take the high road during conflicts with other students. And we are overjoyed to share that not only did Jeremiah make it the whole way through Camp, but he also won “I Am Third” for the first time! This is a weekly award given to a student in each class that best displays Christ-like behavior (God First, Others Second, I Am Third). We are so proud of him and excited to watch God continue to work in and through his life in the years to come!
Thank you so much to everyone who prayed for the program, donated resources, provided a meal, or served as a volunteer. It is because of you that this program happened and that we have exciting testimonies like this one to share!