“At first I was a little scared, because I thought I was going to drown,” was the reaction of Al’lena, one of ten campers in The River of God Kayak Kamp. But with John Algera’s assurance that he would catch her, and wearing a mandatory life vest, Al’lena learned to paddle a kayak and enjoy the waters around Paterson, N.J.
Al’lena enjoys The River of God Kayak Kamp.
Photo by John Algera
Dominick, another camper, said he especially “liked it when we got flipped and paddling the rapids.”
The camp is an annual event for kids 9 to 14 organized by Algera, pastor of Madison Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Paterson.
An outgrowth of Algera’s hobby of building and paddling kayaks, the camp aims to help kids experience God’s creation and learn the life skills of teamwork, creation care, and enjoyment. Funds were raised from a kayak race.
Biblical teaching, prayer, paddling exercises, and safety drills are part of each day. As they paddle on the local rivers and reservoirs around Paterson, campers fill garbage bags with the trash they find.
The week concludes with a float trip down the Delaware River and swimming in the river. Awards are passed out for campers who have set up recycling centers in their homes.
