What a Summer!
We can’t believe summer is already over in Portland!
This summer The Root Cellar’s kids program sought to address a need for literacy for kids in our community affected by the lack of summer-school offerings in the city of Portland. We opened up our summer day camp to many kids who did not have access to summer camps or other supplemental educational programs. Several of the kids in our program were rising Kindergartners learning English who had never attended school before.
Our Camp Leaders and Teen Mentors were able to provide these kids with the attention they needed to help them follow along with the activities and learn to operate in a school-like setting. At Root Cellar day camp, kids did everything from learning about reptiles–and even getting to hold them–all the way to learning about reconciliation through the story of Jacob and Esau.
Though full of fun and laughter, this summer was not without its challenges. I found these to be where the Lord showed up the most. After a really hard day, full of arguments among friends, and even a kid with an injury, we gathered to pray together and had the opportunity to show kids how to turn to the Lord with our heavy hearts. As we created this space for openness, we watched as kids began to confess how they had wronged one another and ask each other for forgiveness. We even were blessed to welcome back the kid who was injured to camp the next day! What a gift to see the Lord bring restoration when we “let the little children come to [Him]” (Matt. 19:14).
This summer, we also committed to growing leadership skills with our Teen Mentors and summer interns. We empowered teens by giving them more leadership within the program to guide their own groups of kids and facilitate activities. Our emphasis for the summer was to lead by example, following the instructions for good leadership in 1 Peter 5: ”Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (verses 2-3, emphasis added).
Each week, teens would lead in the kids day camp, participate in ongoing team-building and enrichment activities, and go on their own field trips–including beach trips, bowling, and rock climbing! Eight of our teen mentors also had the opportunity to go to Young Life camp at Lake Champion where they got to hear the Gospel and grow in their faith with other teenagers.
The culmination of The Root Cellar’s summer kids camp was Portland’s first ever Kids Awards created and presented by our Teen Mentors themselves! After spending the summer leading the kids and getting to know their interests, teens came up with awards for each of the kids to encourage them in their strengths. The kids were presented with accolades like “Coach of the Year”, “Reader of the Year”, “Most Supportive Friend”, and “Most Positivity”. Kids roared with applause as they cheered on their peers receiving awards from the teens!
Thank you to all of the volunteers and donors who made our day camp possible! We love our kiddos and are so blessed to continue to offer opportunities for kids to not just hear about, but experience the love of Jesus.