· Perhaps the most effective way in which we reach out to children in need is through our Summer Camp, which this year was held at the Blaithwaite Centre near Keswick.
· Although camp has many return visitors a fair number of the children are experiencing their first trip away from home. Camp is designed to provide the children with a safe and welcoming environment where they can, for a brief time, forget the misery of their everyday lives and focus on just being children.
· Some of the children come with more than physical baggage and require extra one-to-one care throughout the week, which means we take a very high ration of workers to camper – typically no more than 2 children to every camp worker.
· Being a worker on camp is very demanding in every way – physically, emotionally and spiritually. The role of worker on camp is to meet every need of the children. Sometimes it’s someone to talk to and other times it’s someone to play football with – a big brother or a best friend. Other times it’s someone to explain the way of salvation and encourage the youngsters as they make their first steps on the journey into life.
· The relationship with the children doesn’t end with camp. Many children return to regular meetings in local Mission Halls and Churches, and we also get opportunities to work in schools with some of the children from camp, especially those with behavioural problems.