The American Camp Association is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Camps have been a integral part of what it means to be an American for over a century now!
To focus on the positive effects of summer camps ACA has launched a new ad campaign entitled “because of camp…”. The ad campaign focuses on how camp has affected people on a personal level. http://www.acacamps.org/becauseofcamp/
That got me thinking. How has camp affected the lives of those involved with Charis Hills on a personal level? Please post about a positive impact that summer camp has had in your life.
Our son, Shane, has Asperger’s and had a very difficult year and beginning to the summer in 2009. He was signed up for the early sessions of Charis Hills, his second year at Charis Hills, but was unable to attend due to being in the hospital for a stomach illness.
The staff at Charis Hills understood and moved him to the last session, hoping he would be able to make it to camp.
With much anxiety on both our parts, we left Shane at camp, just hoping he would be okay for the week. The incredible counselors and wonderful staff made such a difference in his life, he not only survived camp, he thrived and even got an award for camper of the week. The confidence he gained from being able to succeed at camp has carried through into his school work and he is now thriving. We can never say thank you enough to Charis Hills for the impact they have had on our lives. We know this is just one story of many and hope others will share their stories as well.
I came in as a counselor at Charis Hills this past summer, and to see children, out of their element, but in a new one that does not put as much pressure on them is incredible. I have worked in the school system and I have been to college for the purpose of ministry in this field, but Charis Hills does it already by putting these children in an environment that makes them feel like they are not so different, that they CAN succeed, and it is amazing to be a part of such an empowering place. That feeling of success is so important in the life of any child. The identification with peers is very important. And a feeling of acceptance for who they are is key to a healthy adult.
These children will never forget Charis Hills, and the counselors won’t forget them.
Some of the parents’ see such a change in their child while they are at camp that it shows them the potential that they know their child has deep inside. Charis Hills has changed my perspective on ministry.
After my second year of teaching, I came to Charis to work as a counselor. Thinking I had something I could give Charis and its campers, I had no idea how much my life would be changed personally, professionally, and spiritually.
The campers I met were kids who struggled in the school setting, but then often thrived at camp. Kids who struggled to read found things they were good at even when first exposed such as horseback riding, geocaching, swimming, among many others. They loved to be good at something, be recognized for who they were, and be reassured that regardless of what they were like or how other kids at school saw them, that God loved them exactly the way He made them, for exactly who they were right at that very moment. For me, this was a powerful witness.
Working at a high school with kids that have struggled, because of camp I now see kids differently. I talk them through their struggles differently, and I know now that God calls me to be both a teacher, and a vessel through which He can show His children that He loves them, no matter how difficult things in life can be or how different they see themselves from others.
Charis Hills has changed my teaching and my ministry to others.
Without trying to sound cliche Charis Hills has changed my life forever. I had no idea that a place as unique as Charis Hills could even exist until three summers ago. Charis Hills is not only a special needs camp, but it is a CHRISTIAN special needs camp… truely one of a kind. My first summer at Charis Hills opened my eyes to what God would have in store for me for my future. Charis Hills instilled in me a love for children who have autism, and a desire to give them a great experience at summer camp.
Because of camp, I came to know Jesus as my persona Savior. Although my family was very active in church, God chose camp to speak to my heart. I couldnt wait to come home an dto make sure my family knew about the good news of Christ. I was blessed that He drew me to him at an early age. God continues to use camp in my life to teach me His ways. I am so blessed.