In 2014, four ministers from the Ozarks Lake Area met to consider the idea of forming a week long Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) summer camp for youth of all ages attending in one week at one location, that would be closer to Southwest Missouri and less expensive than other summer camps. That July, 57 campers and 23 volunteers started “Faith Adventures Camp” at Lake Pomme de Terre.
Directors L/R: Brian Knight-CYF (Appleton City FCC), Kay Johnson-JYF (Hermitage CC), Jack Daniel-Coordinator (El Dorado Springs FCC), Vickie Sowers-Try-It (Bolivar FCC), and Sara Compton-Chi Rho (Disciples CC Nevada)
This year, Faith Adventures Camp celebrated its fourth year of camp fun and faith during the week of July 24th -28th. What started out as a leap of faith four years ago has grown into a giant leap in campers, staff, and faith experiences. The Disciples of Christ camp is located at Camp Hebron, a non-denominational church camp and retreat facility on Lake Pomme de Terre, near Pittsburg, Missouri. 2017 Faith Adventures Camp included 132 campers, 45 volunteer staff, and 22 churches from across the Mid-America Region. Rev. Jack Daniel, pastor of El Dorado Springs First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is the coordinator, running all four camps in one week. Rev Daniel says, “Our hope is that all who attend camp, Try-It (K-2ndGrade), JYF (3rd -5th), Chi Rho (6th-8th), CYF (9th-12th Grade) and the many adults involved, will grow in faith and understanding. Our greatest hope is that everyone's lives will be transformed by the Living Christ. My personal saying is ‘Come as you are...leave a changed person.’”
Jack invites Rachel to address the group.
The 2017 Theme was “Unchained…the Adventures of Paul.” In aligning with the “Unchained” theme, the mission project for the week collected $1,174.22for Camp David of the Ozarks, a camp for children of incarcerated parents, located near Rolla. Rachel King from Camp David of the Ozarks spoke to Faith Adventures’ campers about the mission of the camp. The money raised will go toward helping youth with incarcerated parents attend Camp David’s Angel Tree Summer Camp.
Matt Limback, Regional Co-Coordinator of Youth and Summer Ministries for Mid-America Region and JYF counselor for the week
Faith Adventures Camp is a part of the Summer Ministries of Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ). To view this year’s Faith Adventures Camp video or for more information about Faith Adventures Camp, visit their website at www.faithadventurescamp.com.
Thanks to Barbara Walsh for this story and photos.