It’s That Time of Year – CAMP!

By: Deserea Reville

Editor’s note: Please welcome Deserea Reville to the area! She is a photographer, artist and writer new to Ohio. Her family recently moved here from California and she is excited to share her new adventures & explorations of our community ’through my lens’ as a new resident.

Vacation Bible Camp, VBC, at Christ Community Chapel, Hudson Campus, was no joke! As a new resident of Ohio, I had no idea what to expect but my 11 year old son and I wanted to get involved in the fun too so we volunteered, and let me tell you what I observed during the week:

1. HERE ARE THE STATS:
   1. Over 1,000 happy campers, from 5th graders down to the littlest camp-goers
   2. Over 500 volunteers! Now THAT’s community involvement! FUN, FUN, FUN… there were many fun activities for the children throughout the week. They had arts & crafts, skits, outside recreation, snack, stories and awesome music too! My kids slept GREAT each night after attending VBC (parent bonus right there)!
2. THEY THOUGHT OF EVERYTHING; from a fun kid centered curriculum, to extravagant decorations sprinkled all throughout the campus, individual Thank You postcards hand written for EACH CAMPER, group picture souvenir cards, a delicious volunteer luncheon, and on and on and on!
3. MOM’S TENT! When I heard about this, I was sold! They invited all the Moms to visit the Mom’s Tent anytime during VBC where they had coffee, delicious handcrafted tea, treats and a space for Moms to relax and fellowship. Sign me up for THAT!
4. GIVING BACK – This year the cause that the kids raised money for was mobility carts for a non-profit agency, Mobility Worldwide, whose mission is to “bring the gift of mobility & dignity to those in developing countries who are unable to walk”. This ministry touched my heart deeply; what a beautiful thing to teach children about the importance of serving others, helping those who can’t help themselves and giving back. CCC’s goal was to raise enough money to build 30 carts. GUESS WHAT? In the 4 days of VBC, the kids far succeeded that goal and collectively raised enough money to build 38 carts! That’s over $11,000!!! What a powerful lesson about the ability to do great things when we all work together.
5. Lastly, and most importantly, the theme of the week was “The Sweet Life” and the verse was 1Corinthians 13:4-8

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…” 

Now that’s a message every child/person/family can thrive on! What a great verse to learn, especially starting off this summer break. I’m sure I’ll be referring my children (and myself) back to that verse through our long summer days together.

Thank you, Christ Community Chapel, for a wonderful week, it was pretty sweet!

To learn more about Mobility Worldwide and the wonderful work they’re doing, visit them @ www.mobilyuworldwide.org.

To learn more about Christ Community Chapel, check them out @ www.ccchapel.com

The summer break has just begun so if you haven’t signed up your child/ren, it’s not too late… there are lots of Vacation Bible Camps/Schools around town all throughout the summer. See you around town my new neighbors!