Northwoods Camp: The countdown has begun
Please, stop for a moment and think back to when you were a kid.
Remember summer camp? Remember swimming for hours, touching slimy critters, seeing millions of stars, and listening to crickets chirp at night?
Remember how awesome that was?
Now, think about this: Your support of Salvation Army Northwoods Camp allows kids to create the exact same memories.
Right now, hundreds of children are counting the days until camp begins this summer. They can’t wait for the fun activities galore: fishing, ropes courses, archery, horseback riding, music, Bible studies, campfires, and so much s’more … ahem … more.
Northwoods Camp is located 90 minutes north of the Twin Cities in Finlayson, Minn. The 280-acre camp serves children ages 6 to 17 who are enrolled in Salvation Army programs across Minnesota and North Dakota.
Some of the kids come from turbulent inner-city neighborhoods where the wonders of nature can only be guessed at. Others come from safer surroundings where money is just too tight.
The Camp Experience
All come to camp eager to unplug, have fun, and connect with God in the beauty and solitude of His creation.
“I like it when we do prayer,” affirmed camper Mainag (pictured), 15, referring to worship services held inside the camp’s multipurpose room. “You can feel the energy coming from everybody in the room. People cry. It feels really nice.”
The multipurpose room is also where meals are served. The kids enjoy hot and healthy breakfasts, lunches and dinners. It’s a happy change for some campers who are not always fortunate enough to eat three meals a day at home.
Along with zip-lining, eating yummy food is one of 14-year-old Jessie’s favorite parts of camp.
“They make pizza out of bagels,” Jessie said. “I go for seconds.”
Grace, 11, appreciates the food for a different reason: It gives her energy to burn while she enjoys all the fun activities.
“I like the free time – you can ride horses or go swimming,” Grace said. “They have bunnies, too. And sometimes they let you hold them.”
The bunnies can be found hopping around the camp petting zoo, along with pigs, goats, sheep – even a whitetail deer.
“My favorite animals are the llamas and the peacock,” said Ian, 13, who’s been coming to camp with his two siblings for the past few years. Their mother, Miriam, loves Northwoods Camp so much that she plans the kids’ summers around it.
“When my kids come home from camp, they come home fulfilled – both spiritually and socially,” Miriam said.
Northwoods Camp has the same positive impact on hundreds of other children every summer. Your generosity will allow kids to one day look back on their childhoods and think, Yes, I do remember summer camp. I remember how awesome it was.
Please consider making a gift of $292 to cover the cost of sending one child to camp this summer. If that’s not in your budget, a donation of just $55 is enough to feed a kid at camp. Donate now.
Looking for a fun summer job? Northwoods Camp is accepting applications now through April 15. Open positions include counselors, lifeguards, dishwashers, program aides and animal care. For more information, including an employment application, visit our Northwoods Camp page.