Summer camps nurture faith, friendship and growth
Susie Hovater Malone Columnist
During the summer many Franklin County youths enjoy attending summer camps, where they engage in hiking, swimming, sports, arts and crafts, outdoor adventures and faith-based activities. These camps offer character-building opportunities and help develop greater self-confidence, leadership, and team-building skills.
The students from Branches Church in Russellville went to Generate Youth camp at Covenant College on Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga, Tennessee. This camp is a division of YM 360 ministries, which was started by Les Bradford, a native of Russellville.
AnnaFaye Prince and Cameron Hall of Russellville First Baptist at Lifeway’s Fuge Camps at Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi.
This year marks the 30th year Branches Student Pastor Richard Parker has been taking students from Franklin County to youth camp on Lookout Mountain. At camp, the students enjoy recreational water activities and small group Bible studies, as well as engaging worship.
“Branches Church was the first church to sign up for the inaugural Generate Camp in 2015,” Parker said. “The walls of the youth room at Branches Church are filled with group pictures and signatures from all the trips the church youth group has taken over the years.”
Russellville First Baptist Church took a large group of students to one of Lifeway’s Fuge Camps at Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi. Each day started and ended with worship services. In between, the days are filled with recreation, Bible studies, break-out sessions and group time.
Student Youth Pastor Joel Davis shared his enthusiasm for the event.
“Only on trips like this do I get to spend all day, every day with these students,” Davis said. “During that time, I am reminded how amazing these kids really are! These students want to grow in their relationship with Christ and grow in their relationships with each other. They are funny, smart, kind and respectful!”
He said one of his favorite parts of the trip takes place upon the return home when several students stand before the church congregation and share what they learned and experienced.
“During that time, every student who spoke expressed their gratitude to their church family for helping them make this camp possible,” Davis said. “I am very blessed and proud to serve them as their youth pastor!”
Fuge Camp attendee AnnaFaye Prince described camp as “an amazing, unforgettable experience.”
“From the very beginning, I could feel that God had something special planned not just for me but for everyone there,” Prince said. “Each person who spoke led or shared a quiet word of encouragement was used by God in a powerful way.” Along similar lines was Vacation Bible School, or VBS, a week-long, less religious summer event for younger children. VBS focuses on teaching children about the Bible and Christian values. It’s a popular event hosted by many churches and includes Bible lessons, crafts, games, music, snacks and skits which are all centered on specific themes. VBS offers churches opportunities for outreach and volunteerism. It can also strengthen community bonds and offer a platform for sharing the gospel with both children and their families.
