God has blessed abundantly at the All Nations Center (ANC) summer day camp this year, and it was an honor for members to meet new kids and families from the Native American community.
Camp activities included gymnastics, archery, Native beading, pottery, "graffiti busters" community service activities, swimming, mini golf, an obstacle course and group games. The fee was kept low, and need-based scholarships made certain all who desired could attend.
The day camp ran Monday through Friday, with a Family Night held every Thursday evening. On Family Night, the campers put on an informal program to share their new skills through gymnastics and archery demonstrations, a crafts display and a slide show, which was followed by strawberry shortcake and ice cream for all.
Family Night gave church members a chance to build friendships with the campers' caregivers and family members, learn more of what their families' needs are and take those needs into consideration as they plan the next year's programs and activities.
One grandmother said, "I am just loving this! Your church is the only one I know of on the reservation that is providing this kind of camp program for Native kids. They can draw closer to God in a safe, loving place and have a wonderful time!"
Five youth from the All Nations Center served as staff counselors, working with the campers and showing the love of Christ to them. Peter Trzinski, ANC pastor, shared a Bible story and a life-application principle to start each morning. ANC members Terri Weijohn and Mark and Lilly Moore joined program director Dean Kravig and his wife, Lorrie, to teach classes at the camp.
The summer day camp has probably done more than any other program to give ANC a reputation of caring for the community. Each family leaves the day camp with the knowledge that their children have been in a safe, loving, nurturing and disciplined environment.
While members want the reputation of the All Nations Center to be a positive one in their community, their greatest desire is that all who attend the camp will see the love of Christ in their lives and choose to know Him as their Best Friend, Savior and Lord.
Martina Garcia takes aim during the All Nations Center's summer day camp outdoor activity time.
Christopher Luke was pulled into the pond when his team lost the tug-of-war game.
"Graffiti busters" cleaned a wall as part of the community service outreach of the day camp.
The day camp's budding gymnasts learned to build a human pyramid as one of their activities.
