Creating Core Memories At Summer Camp.
July 15, 2024
I hope you are enjoying your summer and staying cool during this heatwave! Here in Atlanta, it is certainly HOT!
This week, I received wonderful news from Mariana about our Summer Camp. She shared that this year’s camp is fantastic, filled with happy children who are excited for their week of fun and adventure.
Our first 7-day camp started on July 1st, and the joy among the children and staff was beyond remarkable. We have organized the camp into two age groups: one for children ages 3 to 7 and another for children ages 8 to 13. These camps will continue for a full five weeks into early August, giving many children their first taste of Summer Camp magic.
Most of the children attending camp come from backgrounds of abuse, neglect, or have survived on the streets. For these children, learning to trust and rely on others is a new experience. This year, our counselors and caregivers are focusing on team-building activities to help the children develop these crucial skills. They are learning to work together, complete tasks as a group, and build strong friendships that will last beyond their time at camp.
The adventures, new friendships, laughter, and love that children experience at our camps are often life changing. We also encourage older campers to return and help care for the younger ones, teaching them the importance of giving back.
This summer, we are fortunate to have psychology professors from the University of Timisoara volunteering with us. They provide one-on-one counseling sessions where children can share their experiences and talk about their family life. Many of these children have suffered unimaginable hardships, including physical, sexual, and verbal abuse, or have been abandoned and left to fend for themselves on the streets.
Our prayer is that Summer Camp will be a source of healing and hope for these children, helping to mend their wounded hearts. The older children are encouraged to keep journals, documenting their experiences. This practice helps them process their feelings and provides a tangible reminder of the positive changes they experienced at camp.
Today, I was reflecting on this verse:
“I’m thankful for all of you every time I pray, and it’s always a prayer full of joy. I’m glad because of the way you have been my partners in the ministry . . . from the time you first believed it until now.” Philippians 1:4-5 CEB
For almost 33 years, The Village of Hope Romania has relied on your prayers, love, and support to continue rescuing Romania’s most at-risk children. But the need is still great, and we cannot do it alone. Your donation, whether large or small, can make a tremendous difference.
Here are Three Ways You Can Help Us
• Summer Camp: Your gift of $40.00 will send a child to Summer Camp for one day. It will cost . . . $280.00 to send a child to Summer Camp for one week.
• Summer Clothes for Children: Your gift of $70.00 will provide t-shirts, shorts, tennis shoes, and bathing suit for a child.
• Essential needs: Your gift of $55.00 will enable us to continue to provide a package of essential items for a child/family containing food, medicine, and hygiene items.
Together, we can make this summer unforgettable for these children and help them start on a path to a brighter future.
With heartfelt gratitude,
