For the new year we welcome two new staff members: Dennis and Richard
Richard is not only a former streetleader but also a former Camp Saved student. Richard is working with our homework class. This month we will be learning about Benjamin Franklin in our after homework activities and taking a trip to see his former home turned museum in Philadephia.
Dennis is also a former streetleader and was in the first graduating class of the CamdenForward School. Dennis is working with our activity classes. This week the kids turned our front window into a "stained glass" sign for our camp. It really stands out at night. Great job everyone!
The Joy Camp Joy Brings
December 11, 2011
Its has been great to start up a new program in my old neighborhood this year. I have been waiting to start up this program for the past five years and we were finally able to officially start CAMP JOY this fall - and so far we been having a great time. We started with only five kids and have since blossomed to 19.
This is the first time in five years since I worked with younger kids. I had directed our jr. high program the past few years and so I had to prepared myself for the challenges that comes with working with little ones. The one thing I forgot about that comes along working with little kids is all the crying that they do. They cry if they lose a game, they cry if they lose a point, and they cry if they can't get an extra snack, but the joy they bring everyday to the program helps me deal with all that crying. When they arent crying they are enthusistically yelling the "funky chicken" during takes homes. They are cheerifully yelling your name when they see you at their school. And they are consistently hugging you, telling how happy they are to see you and how much they love program.
It been a great two months. Its great to know that we been able to bring moments of joy to these children. But its been also great to experience the Joy they bring to me everyday.
We had a great time celebrating Thanksgiving as a community. Combining Camp Saved and Camp Grace, we had over 150 people!
Both Camp Saved and Camp Grace gave a choir performance. We shared pictures and memories from the past as we enjoyed lots of wonderful food. We also had a special performance by the Dancing Diva's - the Camp Saved Praise Dance Team.
They reminded us all of what we have to be thankful for: How He Loves Us!
As we get ready for the holidays, we have much to be thankful for. We put together this little clip to express our thanks to all our sponsors. Your faithful and generous support covers the exciting things like special trips and events to "boring" things like utility bills and gas for the bus. You have been a blessing to us this year. Thank you and we pray that you will have a very blessed holiday.
Each month we will be highlighting one of our students. This month's student is Peter who has been attending Camp Saved for @3 years. He is very good at math, loves spicy doritios, but not root beer. One of his favorite UrbanPromise memories is from this past summer - playing games with Roman (a summer intern). Peter is in the 5th grade and came up with this story to introduce himself in a fun way.
God gives us strength strong enough to part a river.
Part a river
Now point to the sky and now you’re saved, saved, saved, etc.!!
Sadly, we did not win the golden crate. (congradulations to camp hope and camp freedom!)
But, we close the summer knowing we have a
TRUE TREASURE (one that can not be stolen or destroyed) in Jesus who is our
TRUE FRIEND (there for us in good times and bad). This friend has
TRUE POWER (even the winds and waves obey him). He gives us
TRUE LOVE (proven with action - dying on the cross, not just words) and
TRUE PEACE (that goes beyond our understanding - a peace even in difficult situations)
Remember Camp Saved: We can listen to win candy which will only last a little while, or we can listen to learn something about God which is something that will last forever.
It has been a great summer and special thanks needs to go to a tremendous intern and streetleader staff. Our summer was a success because of your gifts and talents and the way we came together as a team.
Things will be quiet for about a month and then we will be starting up Afterschool Program. Till then, grace and peace to all.
Proverbs tells us "A friend loves at all times." We learned this week that a true friend is around in the good times and the bad (when you have candy to give out and when you are out of candy). We learned that it is important to choose our friends carefully because they help shape our life. Another Proverb taught us that whoever walks with the wise will become wise. We want to know Jesus as our true friend who loves us at all times and will help us become wise.
Lots of smiles this week again. We made playdough, paper mache, ubliegook, and silly putty. Both basketball teams (boys and girls) won their game and we had a fun trip roller skating. For this week's video we took a lot of pictures with our friends at camp but what is more amazing is that we are a friend of God.
Meet our little guys from out 1st and 2nd grade class. These guys know how to have fun!
Special shout out to our friends from Free Evangelical Fellowship of Easton, MA. Great to have your help for the week. We will miss you.
Our theme this week was True Treasure. Our camp has a special treasure -- the CAMP SAVED DIAMOND! But we learned this week that earthly treasures are not as important as heavenly treasures -- because earthly treasures can be stolen -- like our diamond. It took us all week but we recovered our diamond from the bald man in the purple cape. We are glad to have it back but we know that we have a greater treasure in Jesus that can not be stolen or wear out from rust or moth.
Super Hot Week! We even had to cancel camp activities on friday because of the high heat index. But we still had a great week. We played water games to keep cool, went on a skating trip, had special dance classes, and learned about true love. True love is more than just words, more than hugs and kisses - true love has been shown by God. Romans 5:8 was our verse for the week: but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. What great love He has shown us!
