2022 Summer Camps Build ‘Togetherness’
Photo courtesy of Christophe Murphy
“The summer camp overall was such a great opportunity for all these young families to come together, sharing over parenthood and kids instantly connecting through all the different activities,” said Irion Hoffmann Jenkins, FFWPU USA Southeast secretary general. “Kids were just soaking in a lot of content and learning a lot in nature ... my son didn’t want to leave.”
This year was the first time Jenkins attended Camp Shehaqua, tucked away in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, where she joined more than a hundred participants for a week away in nature. The camp ran back-to-back retreats from July 24 to 29, and Aug. 1 to 6, as well as a family weekend from July 29 to 31. All participants, Jenkins said, took on a role of serving one another — bringing the camp’s theme of “Togetherness” to life.
“I was a teacher for 4th and 5th graders,” shared Jenkins during a recent report for FFWPU USA leaders. “Some people were in the kitchen [preparing meals], while others were group leaders; and every day we had an inspiring three-hour education session.”
Photo courtesy of Christophe Murphy
Jenkins said even kids pitched in to serve the camp community, helping to build a palpable sense of camaraderie and teamwork. “I was very impressed by our service project there, where kids were serving, with middle and high schoolers volunteering in the kitchen,” she said. “My own son was helping serve in the camp kitchen, and I was pretty proud to see that.”
Campers also enjoyed a wide range of activities to satisfy just about any interest. From singing and dancing, to learning musical instruments, crafting, and blueberry picking, there was no shortage of things to do individually and as a group.
“Being in nature was wonderful, and the weather was perfect,” Jenkins said. “There were campfires during the day and evening. We had marshmallows, and singing, and everyone got together for a candlelight prayer — it was just so nice to have a lot of young families there.”
A talent night featured more singing and dancing, as well as fun skits. “It was so cute,” said Jenkins, “a lot of high schoolers were very creative ... [The camp] was so much fun and a great time to connect in fellowship and togetherness with our Heavenly Parent, our families, each other, and God’s Creation.”
A number of regional summer camps for young Unificationists recently concluded, including Camp KOGAPE in the Midwest. The Pokemon-themed retreat, which drew more than 90 participants, ran from July 31 to Aug 6 at the Camp Wyoming Christian retreat center in Iowa.
Photo courtesy of Camp KOGAPE
“We had lots of fun and bonding activities planned for the youth and the whole family,” said a local camp organizer. “This included things like glow-in-the dark ‘Capture the Flag,’ a Matanage tournament, brother-sister night, family ‘Pokemon Snap,’ and family Olympics.”
Campers, ranging from preschoolers to the elderly, also enjoyed pool time, an entertainment night, and campfire s'mores, as well as various Pokemon-related activities. “It was so nice to spend time with our friends at camp,” said one parent. “There were so many loving and caring experiences with our youth.”
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