It was a mega filled week for 45 children and 30 youth and adult volunteers at Christ Community Christian Reformed Church’s annual Mega Sports Camp in Sheboygan, Wis. Activities included basketball, volleyball, and karate skills plus upbeat worship songs, Bible stories and crafts.
Aaron Back, discipleship and worship leader, taught the Bible stories every day. He said there is always one point when kids really connect with what they were trying to teach, that God can use them for these big things. “I see their eyes light up about following God,” Back said. The campers learned to “get ready because the game is coming” and have an answer about the hope they have in God. They made a craft each day that reminded them of the Bible Story.
At the beginning and ending of camp each day, the children sang, jumped, and danced to upbeat worship songs in an opening and closing rally. “While I was leading actions for the songs, it was fun watching the other kids follow and do the actions, too,” said Delaney, 12.
Volunteer coaches built on athletic skills each day and the campers were able to compete in basketball and volleyball games on the last day. Volunteers trained in karate taught children how to appropriately defend themselves. “Karate is a special thing,” said Back, “It is not to scare the kids but to learn self-defense like stomping on the foot or elbowing a stranger.”
The Mega Sports Camp program offered a variety of “mega” activities for all children leaving kids energized and full. “I want to stay at Mega Sports Camp.I just needed a cat nap,” said Soren, 5.
This is the eighth year Christ Community Church has offered the Mega Sports Camp.
About the Author
Amy Toornstra is a freelance news correspondent for The Banner. She lives in Salem, Oregon.