Thriving families are the backbone of a healthy community. Despite the statistics, it is exciting to see families thriving in our little corner of Appalachia. And Mountain T.O.P.’s Day Camp program provides a connection for children and families to resources that assists in growth.
Day Camp is a community-supported camp that provides quality programming to help kids build resilience and combat adverse childhood experiences. In a place trying to correct all of the wrong narratives, Day Camp gives voice to the right stories: children who are happy, healthy, and excited about the future. A community full of assets. A connection to places that offer support. A focus on lifelong learning and wellness.
Grundy County and the surrounding area are full of opportunities. Supportive mentoring systems, love of nature, and tenacity in tackling life’s problems are a few qualities that young people learn growing up in this rural area. Most definitely there is a lack of resources that otherwise might make things easier, but that’s not what we’re striving for. We’re not settling for what’s easier. We’re striving for a healthier community.
Existing to connect the dots between the school year, after school programs, and church youth programs, Day Camp provides a space for kids to experience reinforcement of the good stuff: people who listen, activities that are fun and educational, knowledge of local assets.
From a practical standpoint, Day Camp happens Weeks 1-7 of the summer at Cumberland Pines. Churches may choose to participate in Day Camp along with Service Project. The entire group does not have to participate in the same program, but participants do commit to one for the whole week. Providing the correct youth to adult ratio and 12 or 15-passenger vehicles are requirements of the program, as well as bringing a bucket of activities to leave in your van for free-time activities. Our weekly capacity for Day Camp is entirely dependent on the number of churches who participate as they provide the means of transportation. The framework of activities that follows a curriculum of social and emotional learning has proven to have a lasting effect.
One thing that is common of all thriving communities: the wellbeing of their children is central. The impact that Day Camp has on the children who participate goes well beyond a summer experience and has the potential to influence future career and life paths. Mountain T.O.P. sees life in our community and is excited to be a partner in supporting our children.
If you’re interested in having your youth group serve in Day Camp, which takes place through Youth Summer Ministry, contact Rachael. If you’re a local family whose children are interested in coming to a week of Day Camp, contact Chad!
This month’s blog is brought to you by our own Julie Keel. Julie is our Program Director and works part-time, remotely managing strategic projects and filling in the gaps on the day to day operations when necessary. She is married to Jerrett and they have a daughter, Randie, who will definitely be attending Day Camp as soon as she’s old enough!