Children and teenagers in blue shirts and red shirts, laughing and playing dodgeball on our church lawn.
Pews filled with the murmur of quiet(ish) readers in our chapel-turned-library.
Acrostic poems written in orange crayon on white paper.
The smell of meatballs heating up in our church oven.
The clanging of an old school bell signaling time to transition from one activity to the next.
The soft, cool skin of a child’s handshake as she steps off a yellow school bus.
It’s that week of summer, when the sights and sounds, smells and bells of Paul’s Place Camp fill the air here at Redeemer. Every summer (for at least three decades now? with the exception of the recent pandemic years), teenagers from north Baltimore and children from southwest Baltimore, supported by a team of adults (staff and volunteers) from both Paul’s Place and The Church of the Redeemer, come together to get to know one another; grow and learn together; try new things, and simply have fun. This summer we are emphasizing the values of Courage, Cooperation, Community and Celebration. Our campers come from three elementary schools in southwest Baltimore: Charles Carroll Barrister School, Southwest Baltimore Charter School, and George Washington Elementary School.
Here’s what some of our campers have to say about camp:
People here are kind, special, and fun.
Camp is amazing because you can meet new friends.
I love all the food, it’s like a feast!
And from some of our teenage counselors:
Our group is passionate and we find ways to work through and solve problems that brings us closer.
I love our campers’ enthusiasm, energy and willingness to participate and just jump into activities.
Our “A-Team Kitchen Crew” love the children’s smiles, thank you’s, and enthusiasm for the lunch prepared and served here. They also appreciate how kind our teenage counselors are, and how well they handle their various responsibilities shepherding our campers.
Rebecca applauds our “wonderful counselors who are doing a great job connecting with each other and the kids.”
And Paul’s Place Director of Youth Programs, Nicole Davis, remarks how the campers look forward to returning here every summer and talk about their experiences of camp throughout the year.
Finally, from some of our adult activity leaders:
The kids come together to share and tell their story; and they find encouragement from one another, in sharing.
This experience is for children, teenagers and adults alike, something positive for everyone on all levels.
Our campers rock!
Enjoy the photos, and send up a prayer of thanksgiving for all involved in this life-giving week!
