In the summer of 2020, Mountain T.O.P. pivoted the Day Camp program to make it safe to continue throughout the pandemic. Instead of gathering large groups together and taking field trips, the Mountain T.O.P. staff met children and families where they were: in their own front yard. Front Yard Day Camp became a safe solution to maintaining social connection in a time of physical isolation. Since 2020, Mountain T.O.P. has continued to offer Front Yard Day Camp during Youth Summer Ministry weeks with fewer volunteers.
The mechanics
A Youth Renewal Group (YRG) spends about one hour at each home where there may be anywhere from 1-8 children present. Oftentimes, siblings, cousins, or neighbors come together to host Mountain T.O.P. at their home. During their stay, the YRG and children learn about a Bible story, read a book, create a craft, play games, and go on a virtual field trip of a local business. Each day has a different theme so participants learn life skills such as positivity, creativity, teamwork, leadership, and confidence. All the activities and lessons center around that day’s theme. A YRG visits 3-4 home sites each day for the week.
The impact
According to the CDC, “high-quality relationships can help people live longer, healthier lives.” Social connection helps not only reduce the risk of chronic disease and serious illness but our connectivity leads to healthier communities, as well.
In 2023, the Surgeon General, Dr. Vivkek H. Murphy, published a report entitled, “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation.” Dr. Murphy reports that one-in-two adults in America reported experiencing loneliness, and that was before the pandemic, which continued to exacerbate the problem. The Surgeon General’s advisory emphasizes that “social connection is as fundamental human need as essential to survival as food, water, and shelter.”
Since Mountain T.O.P.’s conception, we have focused on helping meet the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of all people we encounter. The findings from the CDC and Surgeon General confirm what we already know: we are holistic people with multi-dimensional needs. Our physical health affects our emotional health, our social health affects our spiritual health. It’s all connected and it all matters.
Social connection is not exclusive to a specific socioeconomic status, geographical region, or generation. It does not discriminate between race, gender, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation. The need for social connection knows no bounds.
This is one of Front Yard Day Camp’s greatest impacts: social connection. Through Front Yard Day Camp, meeting the social need extends beyond the child participant and into the entire family. Parents, grandparents, and guardians have the opportunity to participate in the activities and connect with Mountain T.O.P.’s participants. The adults of the home are able to visit with the adult volunteers, the children of the home are able to play and learn from the youth volunteers.
Additionally, coming to a family’s home now means that children with disabilities and children outside of the typical age-range are welcome to participate. The Front Yard Day Camp model has expanded the accessibility and inclusivity of our program, a victory worth celebrating!
Already this summer, our Day Camp staff have witnessed healthier relationships between siblings, and deeper and more intentional relationships between families and Mountain T.O.P. We value this web of connection that continues to be strengthened with this model of Day Camp. Mountain T.O.P. relies on referrals and recommendations as we grow our children’s program offerings and having the support from parents and grandparents is vital to us.
“Did you know that you’ve been my best friend since two years ago when you were here before?!”
This question was asked by Gidget, to Maggie, one of this year’s Day Camp Ministry Coordinators. A couple of years ago, Maggie was a Youth Summer Ministry participant and had visited Gidget’s home during Front Yard Day Camp. Two years had gone by and Gidget still remembered Maggie and the impression she had made on her.
Gidget is part of a family who has adults and children with special needs. Her family’s relationship with Mountain T.O.P. has been made possible by the existence of Front Yard Day Camp.
This is why accessibility and inclusivity matters.
This is why meeting people where they are matters.
This is why social connection matters.