Day Five- Heading Home

 Friday is the day we return to town to reconnect with the campers’ caregivers. During the Welcome Home event We have a small program where we share a couple of camp songs and a video of the campers’ experience at camp.  It was heartwarming to see the campers on the risers, singing the songs they learned at camp, with large smiles on their faces. Everyone knew the words and the motions to the songs and the caregivers’ smiles were as big as the campers’ smiles while the campers performed. 

 Photographers covered the camp throughout the week, taking photographs of the campers while the campers enjoy their activities. The photographs are place into albums by the buddies for the campers to take home and relive some of their joyful moments at camp.  Some of the photographs were set to music and made into a video for sharing at the Welcome Home event.  It started with the bus arriving and took us through the crafts, boat rides, swimming, the camp rodeo and graduation.  The recap of the program’s songs and video were a good reminder of the fun we had and we were pleased to share those experiences with the caregivers. 

The cast of the Esther play

Earlier in the day, we had the last installment of our play, which is based on the account of Esther, as told in the book of Esther.  Esther’s father Abihail and her mother had died and Her cousin Mordecai took her into his home, later adopting her.  Circumstances were such that the king of the land required a new wife and through an extensive selection process Esther was chosen to be queen. During Esther’s time at the palace, a prince named Haman had plotted to kill all of the Jews in the country, because of his hatred for Mordecai who was of the Jewish people. Esther also a Jew, learned of Haman’s plot and approached the king.  Approaching the king without and invitation could result in death.  In this case the king was pleased to see her and she was able to plead for her life and the lives of the people. The king felt tricked by Haman, and Haman’s evil plot was his undoing; he lost his life.   Mordecai with the support of the king created and carried out a plan that ultimately saved the Jewish people. 

Our campers can relate to this story. They too are deprived of the parents in one form or another and are sent to live with others. If fortunate enough, they might later be returned to their parents or adopted like Esther.  Through this account of Esther, our campers learn that with God’s help they too can be destined for great things. 

Camp 2022 Buddies and Staff 

As we close out this year’s camp, we are reminded of how blessed we are to be able to support these foster children and will cherish the memories made during this time. It’s time to start getting ready for another camp.