Friday, July 22, 2016

Volunteers Light Up Zion Springs Kid's Camp

Being actively engaged with the communities and local churches we serve is a high priority for CSM.  The Zion Springs Kids Camp is one of our favorite outreaches because it gives our volunteers access to the precious people and adorable children with whom we have built relationships and care for so much. Our volunteer groups and individuals pour their hearts into helping the kids and focusing their attention on them. Camp offers the kids an invaluable exposure to older students and young adults who can affirm their God-given value and allow the kid's some freedom to enjoy their childhood in a safe environment. This camp hopes to enrich the children mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. When our volunteers are at the camp, the kids are given undivided attention to help them with their school work and play with them.

Zion Springs Kids Camp is not only a place where kids can have fun but also learn. The kids have instruction with math, english, and reading which allows for some one-to-one attention for which they thirst like any child. The children are able to read different stories and have discussions and presentations about what they learned. Many times these readings will spark questions so their teacher will give them a research project. The children also have fun ways to incorporate math. They not only work in workbooks, but they also play games that use math.

As a Christ centered camp, they pray before each meal and they sing Christian songs at the end of the day. The children are given breakfast, lunch, and a snack while at the camp. After lunch they take a break for recess and play games. On Fridays, they have a free day to play games and watch a movie. Our volunteers assist the three staff members with leading about 25 campers who range from kindergarten to fifth grade. Thanks to our volunteer groups who have come from around the country to help us, and are so important to this ministry!

One group from Peace Lutheran Church in Baldwin, Wisconsin drove 23 hours on a bus to Birmingham to help us with this camp and other projects! Many of the Peace Lutheran volunteers did not know where they were going when they signed up for the mission trip, and they still did not know where they were going when they left Baldwin, Wisconsin. They went on a surprise destination mission trip to CSM. Here are some pictures that show how much they loved on the kids at camp while they were here.