It was a week of fun, joy, redemption, healing, exhaustion, 100-degree weather but most of all LOVE! Camp Hope hosted over 400 participants at Rock Eagle’s campground in Eatonton, GA July 17-22 – including 112 campers (25 of them were first-time campers) and 36 former campers who served as counselors or cabin leaders. We had counselors from areas outside of the Atlanta-area including St. Simons Island, New Jersey and Vermont.
I would say the word “spirit-filled” defined Camp Hope’s 12th summer. Thank you for those who prayed over the staff, counselors, campers and volunteers because we saw prayers being answered and such an amazing and vibrant energy at camp. You could see it in the campers as they worshipped at night or as they went down the water slide. Through the amazing testimonies of our guest speakers, campers had opportunities to forgive those who hurt them and even more, forgive themselves. Our Leadership campers (7th-9th graders) had opportunities to pray with one another, take communion and wash one another’s feet – they experienced the true meaning of fellowship. Campers gave their life to Christ for the first time. God’s spirit guided us through each day, and before we knew it though, it was time for the campers to get back on the bus to return home. It’s a sad day as you watch campers cry as they say their goodbyes and get on the bus. But at the same time, God’s hope and promise goes home with each of them. Campers leave knowing they are loved, knowing that God is always with them and knowing they are a part of a bigger family now.
A HUGE thank you goes out to the everyone who made Camp Hope a possibility. It was through the generosity and loving hearts of many that our financial needs were met for camp – from snacks and bottled water to meeting the Jackson Family Foundation Matching Grant. Thank you to those who volunteered at Mt. Bethel UMC to assist with transportation. Thank you again for those who prayed over camp. And, last but definitely not least, thank you to our counselors who selflessly took a week out of their summer to serve our campers. Thank you ALL for being the hands and feet of Christ to our campers!
Save the Date for Camp Hope 2012: July 14-20!
