Kids Across America
Camp… going away from home for the first time, getting to know a counselor, swimming, hiking, playing capture the flag, sleeping in a cabin in your new sleeping bag. Do you remember your first camp experience? For 26 kids and 4 adults from Lincoln Village, this past June was the trip of a life-time. As one little girl told one of the chaperones as they passed Huntsville’s airport, “I’ve never been this far away from home before.” Thanks to the vision of a local mom, for the last two years boys and girls from Lincoln have been able to attend the urban camp “Kids Across America” (KAA) at Kanakuk sports camp in Missouri. KAA’s mission is “to build Christian leaders by encouraging, equipping and empowering urban youth and their mentors through sports camping.” Upon arrival, the kids are placed in cabins where they can interact with other kids. College students work as their counselors. There are strict rules, but great fun as well. If a rule is broken, push-ups or sprints are expected from the camper - and his/her counselor! The kids participate in all kinds of sports; basketball, football, volleyball, cheerleading, baseball, biking, hiking, canoeing, tubing and swimming. Each day the campers participate in bible classes, devotions and worship. The gospel is clearly presented. It is an opportunity for our kids to have an amazing life transforming experience where they are loved and mentored.
Now… remember all the things you needed for camp: clothes, tennis shoes, sleeping bag, pillow, towels, toiletry items, a bag to put everything in. The campers from Lincoln often don’t have any of these things, so we provide them for them. In order for a kid to go to KAA the total cost is about $150 per camper. You can help. On October 25th Southwood’s Women’s Ministry is hosting a Holiday House Marketplace. You will have the opportunity to purchase Christmas cards, made by our campers, to help establish and fund a scholarship fund for camp. Drop by the booth at Holiday House and get your Christmas cards. You’ll be giving the gift of camp!
For more info on Kids Across America, visit their website at www.kidsacrossamerica.org