Make Your Mission Count

March 1, 2022

MOUNTAIN PINE, ARK. – I will never forget the face of a teen camper who was sponsored by his church to attend Camp Yorktown Bay Summer Camp last year. He had never been to any camp. He had never really strayed too far away from his inner-city neighborhood. All he knew was the routine life he was living, and he never really stopped to think of possibilities outside of what he knew. 

When his family arrived at camp to drop him off, I approached to greet them. I’ll always remember the huge ear-to-ear smile on his face as he got out of the vehicle. He was looking past me at something in particular. That’s when I heard him say, “Yo, you guys have horses? Will I be able to ride one?” I told him that he absolutely would. The big smile remained, he said, “Man, I already know this is going to be the best week ever.”

That is what summer camp is about—putting smiles on kids’ faces as we teach them about Jesus, horses, nature and many other things. As much as we love seeing their smiling faces, we know that Jesus does also.

Summer Camp registration is now open online at ArklaYouth.com. Don’t miss your chance to save $25 with the early bird discount, in effect until April 15, 2022. For older teens, applications to work at camp are also on the website. I hope to see your kids at camp this summer!

By David Craig, Youth and Summer Camp Director