The Loop

Did you ever get to go to a kids camp as a child? I did. My older sister and I went to a kid’s Christian camp, somewhere in the middle-of-nowhere Indiana, three years in a row during the nineties—yes, I’m showing my age. I remember a lot from those three years. I remember one of my camp counselors trying (unsuccessfully) to french braid my wild, frizzy curls into neat rows, learning the hard way jelly sandals and kickballs do not mix well, getting a solo in the final chapel… I could go on and on, but the thing I remember the most about that kid’s camp was the night I gave my heart to Jesus.

It was my first year at camp and exactly one week before my eighth birthday. I grew up in church and I remember adults saying things like “when you choose to follow Jesus” but I really didn’t know what that meant. While my parents and Sunday school teachers planted the seeds, the roots of my faith were shallow like those falling on the rocky soil in the parable Jesus told in the book of Mark. Up until that point, Jesus was more or less my friend. Someone I talked to and trusted, but my faith in Him was not very deep.

That first week of camp was so different than anything I had ever experienced. It’s amazing what you can learn when you spend the entire week focused on the Bible—not just an hour on Sunday. Thirty years later the details of those breakout groups and chapels are spotty at best, but I still carry what I took away from camp with me today. In between the dodgeball games and singing fun songs about toads and bullfrogs, the roots of my faith began to grow deeper than they ever had before. And that first year, on the last day of camp, it hit me how much Jesus loved ME. That night I gave my heart to Him. A decision I didn’t take lightly, yet I don’t think I could have ever imagined the magnitude it would have on my life.

We have such a unique opportunity at Kingsway. Not only do we have one awesome kid’s camp coming to our campus, but we have TWO. We have partnered with both Springhill Day Camps and Winshape Camps. Both are unique, yet their missions are the same—to teach kids what it means to know and follow Jesus. My almost eight-year-old son will be attending both camps and my husband and I couldn’t be more excited! Yes, we are having almost daily conversations about the Springhill rock wall, and the rocketry class at Winshape, but I’m more excited about the opportunities he will have to LEARN more about Jesus—just like I did almost 30 years ago.

When I think about what both camps will be for our son, I think of it as an investment. Yes, my husband and I are laying the groundwork, but how often does our son get the chance to spend an entire week solely focused on learning more about God—all while meeting new friends and getting to try out some fun challenges and activities. The best part is both camps are coming TO KINGSWAY. We don’t have to travel hours away. I couldn’t think of a better gift to give him this summer, the chance to make memories that will last him a lifetime, and God willing, continue to grow the roots of his faith.

If you are interested in registering your incoming 1^st-5^th grade child(ren) to one or both of these awesome camps, I encourage you to check out the Kingsway Summer Experience page. There you can find more information about dates, prices, what to expect, and everything in between. I also encourage you to pray for kids who will be flooding our campus during those precious weeks, along with the camp staff and volunteers. May they make memories that will last a lifetime and grow deeper in their love and knowledge of Jesus.

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