More Than a Summer Day Camp

As Salvationists, we often say that our programs are about more than meeting needs; they are about introducing people to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in Him. This summer at The Salvation Army Lake Worth Corps in Palm Beach County, Florida, we had the opportunity to see that mission come to life through our Summer Day Camp and Vacation Bible School.

When we arrived at the Lake Worth Corps this summer for our very first appointment as Salvation Army officers, Summer Day Camp was already underway. We had the privilege of stepping into a ministry that was already being faithfully conducted by dedicated staff and volunteers. From day one, we simply joined in the work God had already begun, building relationships, encouraging children, supporting our team, and sharing the love of Christ. We are grateful that our first season of ministry was spent walking alongside the children, families, staff, and volunteers of the Lake Worth Corps, witnessing firsthand how God works through faithful service, loving relationships, and the proclamation of His Word.

Our desire was not simply to keep children busy during the summer months; we wanted to create a place where every child felt loved, valued, and known. Throughout the summer, the halls of our corps echoed with laughter as children played games, learned new skills, built lasting friendships, and discovered the love of Jesus. Every activity, devotion, conversation, and shared meal was intentionally designed to point children toward Christ.

Campers enjoyed exciting field trips and participated in games, crafts, sports, swimming, and hands-on activities that created lasting memories. But even more importantly, every adventure was intentionally paired with devotions, scripture, prayer, and conversations about God’s love.

Our daily “Shout Out Awards” were one of the highlights of the summer. Rather than recognizing only athletic ability or competition winners, we celebrated Christlike character. Children were recognized for kindness, respect, encouragement, honesty, perseverance, and helping others. It became a powerful reminder that God values the condition of our hearts more than our accomplishments.

The summer concluded with our five-day Rainforest Falls Vacation Bible School (VBS) where children discovered five foundational truths about God: God is our Creator, God knows everything about us, God is our safe place, God is love, and God deserves our praise forever. Through engaging Bible stories, creative lessons, worship, games, crafts, and plenty of laughter, children learned that God is faithful in every season of life. Every lesson pointed them toward a deeper understanding of God’s love and faithfulness.

After eight weeks of Summer Day Camp and a great VBS, Camper Sunday brought everything together. Our chapel was filled with children, families, volunteers, and church members, as campers helped lead worship through music, timbrels, scripture, and participation throughout the service.

The message, based on Hebrews 11:23, reminded us that faith grows when we remember who God is. As we reflected on the lessons the children learned over the summer, it became clear that our greatest goal had never been simply to provide fun activities or a full schedule. Our desire was always to introduce children and families to the God who created them, knows them, loves them, protects them, and is worthy of their praise.

Then came a moment none of us will soon forget. Families were invited to the altar to pray together. Parents knelt beside their children. Volunteers gathered around them. Camp staff joined in prayer. The altar was filled with families seeking the Lord together, thanking Him for what He had done, and asking Him to continue His work in their homes.

In that moment, the laughter that had echoed through our halls all summer gave way to heartfelt prayers at the altar. It was a beautiful picture of why The Salvation Army invests in children and families.

Field trips are wonderful, games are exciting, crafts create memories, and VBS is fun. But none of those are the destination. The destination is seeing children come to know Jesus, families worshiping together, and lives transformed by the love of Christ.

We are grateful to everyone who helped make this summer possible. Every meal served, every bus driven, every game played, every lesson taught, every prayer offered, and every act of kindness became part of God’s greater work.

We thank the Lord for an unforgettable summer and pray that the seeds planted in the hearts of these children and their families will continue to grow for years to come.

As newly commissioned officers, we could not have imagined a more meaningful beginning to our ministry than watching children lead worship and families gather at the altar. It was a beautiful reminder that every program, every volunteer, every prayer, and every act of service exist for one purpose: to lead people into a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.

Because in the end, that is why we do it all.