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"Welcome Home" is an interesting theme choice for a sleepaway camp; 4 days and 3 nights away from home isn't easy! PLUS, round the clock activities, energizers, games, dances, workshops, and 100+ other middlers from the entire East Coast mean camp can be intimidating . . . but our middlers were brave!
On day one, they packed onto the church bus, endured pounding rain the entire 5 hour drive, shyly introduced themselves, made covenants on how they would engage one another, and quietly observed. By dinner the same day, they began to speak up. They leaned into the discomfort, participated in small groups, engaged in discussion, connected with other middlers, and represented us all well as leaders, listeners, and people of faith.
What started as the camp director claimed as the "Soggiest Camp Ever!" become bright sunshine, blue skies, and plenty of pool time. From braving the annual oversized slip n slide, to spontaneous dance moves learned from worship energizers, our youth were all in!
The last day, they even decided the camp dates for 2024 and presented to Rev. Tara why they needed to return those specific dates (to reunite with friends made this year). As one youth said when loading the bus for departure, "wow, leaving is making me sadder than I expected." The stop at Popeyes for lunch and an exciting contest to see who had memorized the camp's theme verse Psalm 23 brightened up the group.
We say WELL DONE to this year's camp group and hope your middle schooler will join us in 2024! Special thanks to Mr. Marty Dennis Richardson who was not only a chaperone, but a trusted help and active participant for these middlers.
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