3 Reasons You Should Send a Kid to Camp

Ah, Memorial Day Weekend. 

A day that as Americans we set aside to remember those who gave up the ultimate sacrifice for our country and for our freedom. I know that I don't often post anything specifically patriotic, but before I say anything else today, I wanted to say that I am so incredibly grateful for all those who serve our country and cannot imagine the difficulties this day brings for those family and friends who can't celebrate their loved one being home.  

But for most of America, we use today as the official "kick-off" for summer.

Pool parties, backyard cookout, getting out of school, beach weeks, and CAMP.

Songs, games, popsicles and water balloons, silly skits, all things that scream summer camp. Even if you never went, chances are you know someone who did and they loved it. 

Last summer I was fortunate enough to spend most of my summer at Camp. A few of my favorite highlights included impromptu face-arm-hand painting, reading new books, end of the day dance parties, and lots of little moments that came out of nowhere. 

We played games, ate a ton of pb&j's and enjoyed being outside in the hot Georgia sunshine. Mornings started off with hula-hooping, countless rounds of UNO, skits, songs, chants, reading books and playing math games. Then it was learning different character traits, making crafts, learning how to make music, and playing some pretty creative rec games.

Lunch and free time was what camp was really about though. Honestly, I'm pretty teary-eyed thinking about how much I miss those sweet times.. even dripping with sweat and more exhausted than I had ever been. 

If you know me well and have followed along my blog for a while you know exactly what camp I worked at last summer. Not exactly your typical suburban camp. 

Friends of Refugees, a nonprofit Christian organization out of Clarkston, Georgia runs the camp (known as Summer Spectacular but really just as camp) out of their Youth Programs department. 

I woke up this morning with it on my heart to share this post, and ask for support from you to help this ministry by sponsoring kids to camp. I'm confident in the fact that the Lord led me to write this post, and led you to read it for a reason. 

Do me a favor, and read to the end, will you? 

Camp contains academic time to work on math and reading (areas that kids tend to fall behind in), character education, crafts, music, games and free time to do whatever. And breakfast and lunch too of course. The staff and counselors are Christians dedicated to living out the gospel during camp by showing grace, patience, and the love of Christ among everything else amazing they do. 

The kids that attend this camp have some pretty crazy stories of who they are and where they come from. Most are refugees that have been resettled by the US government into the town of Clarkston, Georgia. Some have been there for ten years. Some a few weeks. If you're not from a refugee family, then your family is more than likely just in the community. And what a community it is. 

The New York Times refers to Clarkston as the most diverse square mile in America. There are more than 60 languages that are spoken in that little square mile. I know one, if that gives you any perspective.

For most of these kids, they are living in two different worlds, the one where their families come from and the one they live in now. It's constant navigation of life at school and life at home and who they are and who they're becoming. 

That's just one reason camp is so important. But I have three more. 

Here are three reasons you should join me in supporting these kids going to camp.

Reason 1: These kids come to camp to have fun. 

Duh, you say. That's what camp is. But this isn't something they normally can do without consequences. At camp, they get to experience those moments of wonder and awe without having to worry about taking care of siblings while their parents are working.  There's no need to be concerned about breakfast or lunch. They get to run around and play with bubbles and paint pictures and play basketball with kids their age. 

I wish I could describe to you these kids stories. Stories of how they escaped war and bombs but it wouldn't be fair to them, because I'm not them and I don't get it, I don't get how scared they were, or even are. Or how worried they still are about family left behind. How even now, 10 or 12 years later they still remember. And some of they may not remember the country, the life they left behind. But they do remember now. They remember how their parents work at the factory night shift for 5 years. They remember how difficult it is to get anywhere without a car or figuring out the public school system and the many other government systems that are complicated even to us.

Summer camp is a place where they get to just be kids.

They get to do activities planned for them. Do crafts with materials that were bought with them in mind. Eat meals prepared for them. Spend time with people who care for them. Camp allows them to enjoy the same summer that you and I will. 

Reason 2: As Christians we are called to give and share the blessings the Lord has given us. 

In Matthew 6:19 we are reminded of the fact that we aren't to lay up treasures for ourselves on earth because when your time is up on this earth they won't be coming with you.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy and were thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal."

Later, in 2 Corinthians 9:6-12 we see where "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion for God loves a cheerful giver... For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God." As Paul was telling the Corinthians through this letter each person should separately decide what they should give, not comparing to each other, and should recognize that it is not just going to just supply the physical needs but is bringing about praise to the Lord. All things that still apply today.

And that's where these donations to camp go, towards praising the Lord. They go to empowering kids, to teaching them character traits and inspiring their questions about the gospel. 

I know that not everyone can financially support sending a child to camp, but I also recognize that after doing research it is significantly cheaper to sponsor one of our campers than it would be to send your own child to camp. I don't say that as a criticism or to insinuate that our camp is better than yours. I'm willing to bet (in fact I know because some of y'alls camps are really really cool) that we don't have nearly enough of the cool equipment, fun activities, or neat programs that your child's camp offers.

But we do offer things catered to our kids and their needs. We offer friendship and encouragement. We offer them a chance to see the gospel in action. We offer funny dance parties and quiet times of deep conversation.  

What we offer them is important to us and to them. 

And you can make it possible for these kids to experience these things, and more.

These kids will pay some of their cost to get to camp. It's not a free camp.

But by the time you add in food, staff (most of who raised support, like me last year), equipment, gas to fill vans to transport kids every day, a venue, field trips, and so many other things the money needed adds up quickly. 

One donation of $250 covers a camper for 7 weeks of camp.

That's seven weeks of crafts, games, breakfast and lunch, field trips to the pool, and more.

That's seven weeks of memories for children, many who have gone through way too much already in their young lives. 

Maybe you're able to donate $40 or $100 but not $250.  Please still do it. It is all for the glory of God. And if you were thinking of donating multiple sponsorship, please do that too.

Reason 3: Me.

This may or may not mean anything to you. Maybe you saw what I was talking about at the top, rolled your eyes, thought not for me and skimmed down here. 

I know the Lord is going to provide the right amount of money to allow the right amount of kids to attend camp. That will happen regardless of this post. 

But I am asking you to consider donating financially to support these kids, and this group.

I, Alana Tyler, your neighbor and your friend. The one who babysits your kids or was their VBS leader. Your sorority sister, your classmate, past or present, your best friend, or maybe even just the author of this blog that someone shared and you happened read. The Lord doesn't do these things on accident. He put you in front of this blog.

You probably know me pretty well, and chances are I probably know you, because my blog hasn't exactly gone viral (yet). 

I know most of you can consider what I'm asking of you. I know you can probably afford to sponsor a child for camp.

Last summer, I left Florence not knowing what lay ahead. 

And my world was rocked. My future changed.

These kids allowed for that to happen. They burst my bubble. They made me aware of what real need was. But they also showed me what true joy looks like. They showed me what it meant to be a friend. What hospitality looks like. The Lord started working in me a long time ago with my EFM kids, and then He brought me to Clarkston the summer of 2016 and used it to mold my heart and change my future.

Y'all, I love these kids. They are still the background of my phone and in my thoughts and prayers every day.

No matter what your political thoughts are, and I know that there are many out there, refugee kids are kids and these children are here. They're in America, and they deserve to celebrate summer the same as your kids. 

Seven weeks of camp is so possible. 

One of the slogans for Friends of Refugees, the Christian nonprofit that runs this camp, is "Join the Story". And that's what this is. 

Will you be a reason that a child gets to run around with water balloons this summer? Will your sponsor a child so they can become the best UNO star the world has ever seen? Will you allow a child to experience seven weeks of camp?

If you're willing, and you know this is where the Lord is leading you, you can donate directly online by clicking this link: https://friendsofrefugees.com/donatenow/ and under destinations select "Youth Programs". 

If you have questions, or you want to mail a check then text me, call me, message me on Facebook, or email me at tyler.alana711@gmail.com and I will answer any and all questions or give you the address to mail a check. 

This isn't a scam. This isn't going to support staff vacations. (Although these staff deserve really great vacations). 

This is a plea from me to you. Will you donate financially? Will you pray with me that the needs are met? Will you send a grocery store gift card towards food? 

Will you join the story?

Click this link to see a slideshow video put together from last year's camp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGXqTodSp1w