A Week of Kids' Camp

Kid’s Summer Camp at White Rock Baptist Church was scheduled the first week of July 2011. Registered, were 110 kids from Nursery School to Grade 6, with 34 of them not otherwise associated with a church. The 40 volunteers consisted of teachers, musicians, leaders, craftspeople, kitchen workers, security officers, and registrars. I volunteered to do kitchen duty for five days, as everyone, both kids and workers, needed a nutritious snack each day. I assisted half a dozen ladies in preparing those delicious snacks, and in addition, became an expert operator of the automatic dishwasher.


On my first break, I went into the recreation hall to watch the program. I stood for a few moments with another worker, commenting on the exciting time the children were having as they listened intently to two young people performing a skit. The lady asked if I happened to know the “beach bum” with green hair, his hat on sideways, wearing a rubber surf suit and dialoguing with the lifeguard. I looked intently and was attracted by something familiar about the “beach bum’s” actions. Suddenly, I realized that “Crazy J” with the mop of green hair was our very own dear daughter, lost in the character of the “beach bum” she was portraying.

In this beach scene, the lifeguard Hector the Protector demonstrated his life-saving skills. Crazy J, our daughter, made good use of her acting and singing talents to teach the kids about Jesus and it brought tears to my eyes. Often on Sunday mornings, she has led the church congregation in worshipful songs, so it was a surprise to see her acting this different part. A few minutes later, Crazy J was leading the kids in their actions and singing.


Occasionally, I’d go into the recreation hall to enjoy the many kids and their leaders singing and acting the words of Scripture as the amplifier beat out the rhythm. Crazy J kept the kids attentive to actions and words. It was a delightful way for children to learn verses such as “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” By week’s end, they were singing many Scriptures while dressed in tie-dyed shirts, which they had made in crafts’ time. Their numerous Scripture verses were performed for parents and grandparents.


Every day provided something new and different. Activities included tag games, relay races, water balloons, and crafts. Bible lessons were about Jesus when he was twelve, the Prodigal Son, the Widow’s Son restored to health, and on Jesus’ command to go and tell the world about the Messiah having come. Well-performed skits by High School students illustrated the lessons.


It was thrilling and exciting for the camp staff to hear about one little seven-year old girl who seldom spoke at home and who wasn't inclined to speak to others. Her neighbors, who regularly attended White Rock Baptist Church, had invited her to the camp because she and her family did not attend a church and they thought this would be a good experience. It was unusual and rewarding for them, when one day during the week, she ran over to their place and exclaimed, “It’s all about Jesus.”