This summer, 108 local kids went to church camp without any financial burden to their families. Thanks to fundraising efforts by the Community Church Camp Committee, which amounted to $38,055, averaging just over $350 each.
By far the largest group the organization has sent to camp, this is the 12th year overall, said co-organizer Alan Johnson. He and others joined forces during a Sunday School class in 2013 when they learned finances were the biggest obstacle for kids attending camp.
“The whole idea was to give everyone a camp experience,” he said. Another key difficulty came with transportation – getting kids to and from the camp.
“It’s hard for parents to take off work, it’s two days of travel and not only are you spending money, you’re not making any money,” he said.
Their founding year, the group needed around $12,000, a number that has continued to grow each year. Participants must live within the county and can choose any church camp of their choice. However, if the camp is too far away, the family is responsible for their own transportation.
“We just told our story and asked for help,” Johnson said of their inaugural season.
“Much to our surprise we raise more than we needed and got all the kids off to camp.” He added that at first it was a juggling game, sending admissions funds to those that had an earlier timeline, while waiting to raise the rest.
Meanwhile, parents and retired couples offer to help with transportation. The group requires a male and a female to be in the car for those who aren’t a parent. Churches also help provide transportation with their vans/buses and volunteer drivers.
Parents are able to donate toward their kids’ registration, at whatever amount they can afford, but are not required to.
“We will take whatever you can give us,” he said. “Every year we panic. This year we were almost $20,000 short; I thought we were going to have to serve gold-plated hamburgers to get enough money. But it’s been absolutely amazing. The old saying is ‘Trust in the lord.’ We did our best and prayed a lot.”
Johnson said a small cushion was provided during COVID, as camps were closed. But after two years, the group was once again starting at zero, fundraising enough for the entire group.
In total, nine committee members provide the fundraising and logistical efforts, with three outgoing each year.
The Community Church Camp Committee served food at the Fairgrounds on July 3rd, with last year’s efforts bringing in about $1,000, Johnson said. They also participate in Match Day each year.
“There’s not 38 days to do that so there’s got to be other ways,” he said of the group’s efforts to create new avenues for funds.
“It’s just that the number is getting bigger and bigger and most people aren’t making more and more so it’s going to have to be something we seriously look at.”
