Faith, Freedom and Fun
Summer, for many, brings thoughts of being outdoors — whether running under sprinklers or eating a summer treat to alleviate the heat. One activity often associated with summertime is camping, and The Salvation Army has long used camping as part of their ministry. The Salvation Army Western Division runs several camps each summer.
One popular camp experience is The Salvation Army Western Plains Camp in South Sioux City. This outdoor retreat, located approximately 90 miles north of the Omaha metro, allows kids to learn and play in a Christ-centered environment that is free from devices. In fact, “faith-centered” and “unplugged from home” are two of the five fundamentals of Western Plains Camp. The others are “relational,” “participatory,” and “safe space.”
“Camping ministry is something that TSA has invested in for the past 100 years or so. One of the reasons is, from the beginning, we can see the impact that it takes in taking a kid from their current environment into nature,” said Capt. Christopher White, who runs the camping ministries for The Salvation Army Western Division. “It’s a place where they can interact with kids from different environments and they can make friends with other kids and they can have adults who love them.”
Kids at Western Plains Camp participate in traditional activities such as roasting marshmallows over a campfire and making crafts. New activities available to students (with a signed waiver) this year are a high ropes and low ropes challenge course and a zip line.
Along with sleep-away camp, The Salvation Army runs day camps for students in the metro who need, or want, a place to go while parents are at work.
“We want to make sure that kids are safe during the summer,” Capt. White said. “We are using the opportunity to reach kids to teach them new skills as well [and] create new relationships.”
These camps also allow students to enhance the lessons they learned in school.
In addition to the overnight-stay camp up in South Sioux City, there are two day-camp locations. At Camp Kroc – which is based at Kroc Center Omaha (2825 Y St. in Omaha) – kids ages 6-13 are enjoying themed camps, where they participate in art and science projects, visit libraries and parks, and more. This week’s theme, for example, is Animal Planet.
The other location for day camps is North Corps (2424 Pratt St. in Omaha), which traditionally offers multiple opportunities for kids to create arts-and-crafts projects; play sports; go on local field trips; participate in drama, science projects, and outdoor activities; and eat nutritious snacks and meals. This year, due to ongoing construction at North Corps, day camps there are being offered in a limited capacity.
All youth who are interested in area Salvation Army camps are encouraged to come, regardless of need. Camps are partially supported through gifts from generous donors. You can give by clicking here.