Do scholarships matter?

Do scholarships make a difference? A loud, “Yes!” is the answer.

As the Program Manager for Everett Gospel Mission’s women and children’s shelter, here is how I have seen camp impact our children through the years with the help of Kids 2 Camp Scholarship fund at Warm Beach Camp.

The children and their mothers often are fearful to leave each other for the week. Due to their lives becoming chaotic and unsure, they have come to depend on each other. The children go to camp for the week and when they return they are exhausted, excited, and expressed their experience as, “the best time ever.” They talk about their chapel experience and show us in their Bibles the different conversations they have had with each other as well as what they learned. They tell us about their counselors and how fun they were, and their new cabin friends.

One camper said, “My mom said I would have fun but I did not believe her. I wanted to stay home, I am glad I didn’t. I loved the arts and crafts, the swimming, all of my new friends and learning about God. I have never gone anywhere like this before. I wanted to live there.”

In the 15 years, we have sent our children to Summer Youth Camp using the gifting of scholarships through the generosity of Warm Beach Camp. It has been our greatest gift to our children to send them to a safe, sound, fun, creative, and Bible-based camp. It is an experience that has impacted them for eternity.

Everett Gospel Mission is particularly grateful to Warm Beach Camp and its donors for allowing our children the privilege of attending camp.

-Suzanne Peterson
Program Manager, Everett Gospel Mission