 Recently he found out that Salvation Army hosts a summer camp
that is available to children ages 8-12 free of charge,
regardless of their income status.Shuff said he felt the timing
was perfect because this year the Lincoln Park District is not going
to be able to offer swimming, a very popular activity for Lincoln
youth.
The camp has swimming along with several other youth-oriented
activities and sports.
Shuff has started taking registrations for the camp, which will
be June 18-22. He has about eight children signed up to go and is
hoping for more.
Shuff said children who sign up to go to the camp will depart
from Lincoln on June 18 and be transported to the campground at
Washburn in time for afternoon registration.
The first evening, kids will get checked into their cabin,
participate in an evening flag-lowering ceremony, then have dinner.
After dinner they will have a session explaining the rules of the
camp, and there will be an evening program.
From 8 to 10 p.m., kids will enjoy free time when they can play
games, go swimming or visit the country store on the campground
campus.
They'll turn in for the night at 10:30 and rise again at 7 a.m.
for a full day of activities.
Campers will have a daily routine that includes breakfast, lunch
and dinner; free time for games and activities; rest time after
lunch; two 45-minute lesson times, one in the morning and one in the
evening; and an evening program after dinner.
Shuff said Salvation Army is a faith-based organization and
children will participate in lessons and prayer, but he emphasized
there will be no "hard selling" of religion at the camp.
The goals of the camp are to share with kids the joy of nature
and the understanding of God's creation, along with some
understanding and teaching about Jesus Christ.
Lessons the children will come away with will include learning to
communicate and relate to others, learning about nature and being
responsible for its preservation, and learning about themselves.
Shuff said four groups will be at the camp at the same time, so
it won't just be Lincoln kids. The groups will interact with one
another, and children will get an opportunity to make new friends.
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There is to be one camp leader for every 10 children
participating. Shuff said all the leaders go through extensive
background checks, and Salvation Army works to assure parents that
the adults at the camp are caring, responsible adults who will look
after their children and keep them safe.
Shuff said the campground is designed to accommodate
approximately 300 children at a time, but groups usually end up
averaging about 120 kids plus adults.
There is a staff nurse on hand for bumps and bruises, and medical
forms will need to be filled out and sent to the nurse if children
are on any special medications.
Children are to bring their own sleeping bags or bedroll and
pillow; bath towels and washcloth; and soap, shampoo, and hair brush
or comb.
They may not bring cellphones, electronic devices or games.
They may bring money to spend at the country store, but it must
be turned in at the store upon arrival. Each child who brings money
will have an account opened at the store. They can then make
purchases with their account.
Shuff said in addition to swimming, there are sporting activities
and paintball target shooting. There is also a special permission
slip that needs to be submitted for the paintball.
Recently Shuff, his daughter and the Rev. Glenn Shelton made a
trip to the camp to check it out. Shuff took several pictures of the
facility.
There are several buildings on the campus of 300-plus acres,
including dorms for sleeping, a meeting hall and an exceptional
dining area. On the grounds there are nature areas where kids can
enjoy the wonders of God's creation and, of course, plenty of play
areas.
Shuff said he hopes parents will take advantage of this free camp
and give their children a few days to be involved in what is sure to
be a great week of fun and fellowship with other children their own
age.
Sign-up for camp continues through May 30 and can be done by
stopping at the Keest Center on North Kickapoo in Lincoln.
[By NILA SMITH] |
