Summer Camp Changes Lives
Happy Spring!
I want to tell you about an amazing, under-the-radar program that The Salvation Army provides and why it’s so important.
This time of year when school terms are ending, parents are making decisions on how children will spend their summer vacation. And there’s no better, more-affordable option than providing our children with a Salvation Army camp experience!
Our camp here in Kansas City is the Three Trails Camp and Retreat Center. Located at 16200 E US 40 Highway near Lees Summit road, it is a 40 Acre campus with up-to-date cabins, gym, trails, chapel and offers plenty of things to do like hiking, swimming, music, crafts and other activities.
Lives are transformed at camp. I can remember as a little girl the life changing experience I had when I gave my life to Christ at a Salvation Army Camp in Minnesota and began my Christian walk.
Here’s why this is important. In these economic times, summer enrichment activities can be prohibitively expensive. With that in mind, The Salvation Army is one of the most reasonably priced options parents will find. Our strategy is to keep camp costs low because the experience is so critical in the well-rounded development of a young person. Thankfully we can do it with generous contributions and scholarships that support this community resource.
And that’s not all. Because The Salvation Army is a church, you can trust that we offer a wholesome, Chistian-based, safe place where kids can explore and learn new things. Kicking off every June, there is a steady stream of young people from the metro and many small towns and cities in Kansas that take advantage of this opportunity to grow as human beings.
In the Bible, Psalm 127 verse 3 says: “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him.” It also says, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6 NIV). The Salvation Army is working to make the world a better place by investing in our children and our camp is vital in this mission.
Finally, we are known for providing food, shelter, rent and utility assistance, thrift stores- programs that make a tremendous difference for all. But probably the closest program to my heart is what we do at camp. The Salvation Army has been at this work for a long time, and thousands of young people have benefitted from it. This year we are celebrating our 100-year anniversary, a notable milestone few have reached. And we are proud of our contribution to a stronger future and plan to continue this work for many years to come.
If you too believe in the importance of this mission, here’s how you can help. Make a donation at: SalArmyMoKan.org, volunteer at camp or a corps (church), and be sure to tell others about this amazing resource right here in Kansas City. You can find out more or register a child at Threetrailscamp.org.