One Scholarship, One Changed Life: The Ripple Effect of Camp

When you think of Kids 2 Camp, your mind often goes to a child getting an opportunity to attend Day Camp. While the Kids 2 Camp Scholarship Fund does provide these kinds of opportunities for children to attend programs at both campuses, an often-overlooked avenue for these funds is our year-round group retreats.

Imagine hearing from your youth group leader that there is an upcoming camp retreat and everyone is invited. As cheers of excitement fill the room, a lump in your throat develops because due to circumstances no one else is aware of, you cannot afford to go to camp. You automatically feel isolated from your peers and are filled with sadness at the thought of missing out. To mask your discomfort, you join the celebration. This is, unfortunately, when camp becomes a luxury.

The Kids 2 Camp Scholarship Fund was created to bridge that gap, as financial restrictions should never stand in the way of a child experiencing the joy of camp. We may never know what burdens children are carrying when they set foot on either one of our campuses, but we do know the life-changing effects of Camp!

Youth participate in recreational activities that often push them out of their comfort zones, help them overcome fears, or prove to themselves just how brave they can be. During these moments of exploration, youth are allowed to just be children, and the burdens placed on them are lifted.

While walking the trails, a newfound love of creation can be established, as some children have never been outside the confines of a city. Over mealtimes, youth are surrounded by prayer, laughter, and full plates of warm nourishing food. During nightly campfires, a sense of belonging takes shape as they hear testimonials, receive support from trusted adults, and spend time in reflection. The gospel is shared, and that, coupled with being told just how loved and valued they are, leads to a spiritual turning point in their lives. For one week, these kids are shown that there is a different way to be in the world.

The experience of Camp is truly life changing. Youth are returning to their communities set apart and breaking generational cycles with faith! Matt Pfiffner, Warm Beach Camp’s General Manager, emphasized,

“One scholarship can change a story. It opens the door for kids to encounter Christ at Camp- away from everyday pressures and surrounded by His creation. Those moments can transform a life and, through the Holy Spirit, ripple out to impact future generations. I experienced this firsthand last summer when a former student of mine, who once attended scholarship-supported retreats at Warm Beach Camp, returned as a leader with her church, now pouring Christ’s love into the next generation.”

For this church leader, the life-changing impact of camp began with a stranger’s act of generosity. In a full-circle moment, she is now bringing the next generation to Warm Beach Camp to experience everything Camp has to offer!

Thank you to everyone who has compassionately given to the Kids 2 Camp Scholarship Fund so far this year! Warm Beach Camp Ministries is looking forward to the Kids 2 Camp fundraising events at both Black Diamond Camp and Warm Beach Camp next month. For more information, check out Warm Beach Camp and Black Diamond Camp event pages. We hope you will join us this October!