Finishing Touches Before Summer Camp – gifts from Luther Memorial and First Presbyterian in Marcellus
Everything is in place for Summer 2012!
So many exciting things have happened up here at Vanderkamp in the past year. We’ve re-envisioned what it means to interact with children in a loving, peaceful, and Christian way. We’ve started our Community Farming Project. And this year’s summer camp? It already has the most registrations in at least the last 20 years. But perhaps the most exciting thing has been the relationships that have been renewed with a handful of very special churches.
We’ve already posted about the incredible contribution from the First Presbyterian Church in Oneida, but two other churches recently gave us a huge contribution of work as well.
Earlier this year, the First Presbyterian Church in Marcellus declared Vanderkamp their “love month” mission for February. They collected donations throughout the month, totalling nearly $1,700 all told! They also came up for a work day, and worked dilligently to help us paint the Staff House, and do a lot of skilled work and yard cleanup as well! We can’t wait to see this relationship with First Pres. Marcellus continue to flourish!
One of the most exciting relationships in the last year has been formed with Luther Memorial in North Syracuse. On a leap of faith, Luther Memorial sent 9 children to our Fall Retreat last year, and they’ve increased their support of our summer camp tremendously ever since. They’ve contributed to camperships, and sent huge groups to help with our Spring Clean Up Day and their own private work day last weekend! They helped paint the barn, put the fence up around the garden, and contributed in countless ways on the work day. One member, Aiden Depasquale, even forewent birthday presents and asked people instead to contribute to Vanderkamp! How amazing is that?
In short, we feel like the most blessed Summer Camp around. As we prepare for the staff to arrive tomorrow, we want to send out one last HUGE thank you to everyone who has supported us this Spring and early Summer. You can bet that we’ll do everything in our power to help every child who comes to Vanderkamp this summer learn to love himself or herself through Christ’s unending love.
Hope to see you all soon!
