Camp Wonderland Provides a Positive Summer Experience for Children
The Salvation Army Wonderland Camp and Conference Center was founded in 1903 to provide a pleasant retreat for low income mothers and children that allowed them to escape the stresses of inner city life and to experience the scents and sights of the outdoors. Today, Wonderland Camp serves many at risk children every summer. Their lives are enriched physically, personal and spiritually through healthy outdoor activity in a safe and caring environment in which children can learn and grow. Every summer counselors spend one on one time with campers building close relationships with them where they learn about the campers and earn their trust. Some campers are met for the first time with three nutritious meals, adults they respect and adults that respect them, clean parks, and the safety of not needing to “watch their backs”. Most campers who live only a few miles from Lake Michigan have never gone swimming. Many from poorer neighborhoods have never enjoyed walking in the woods, seeing the stars, or hearing birds sing in the trees. For many children, camp is more than a vacation, it is life changing.
From Lake County, Indiana alone, 353 children and families experienced 1,783 refreshing days at Wonderland Camp and Conference Center. It costs approximately $120 to send one child to camp. This includes transportation, four days and three nights stay, meals, supervision and full day programing.
If you are interested in sending a child to camp, please contact The Salvation Army closest to you. For additional information, call 219-838-1328 or www.salarmylakecounty.org.