The giant Swing is a little scary at first, but also so much fun.

Summer camps have been a wonderful part of the Mission Arlington^® experience for decades. Before July is over, we will take hundreds of children & youth to six Summer Camps. These camps, as with everything Mission Arlington does, are free of charge. Thank you so much for your support.  Our camps are so much fun.

Three Tuesday “Kiddie Camps” (K-3rd grade)

For three Tuesday nights in July, students arrive by Mission Arlington^® buses in central Arlington to enjoy crafts, games, music, a great supper, and a message from God’s word designed specifically for them.  It is so much fun to watch these sweet kids run, play, make crafts to take home with them, and to learn more about the Lord.

Two Saturday Children’s Camps (4th-6th grade)

Our volunteer Bible study leaders get up early on two July Saturday mornings (12th & 19th) to pick up children from the apartment communities.  Permission slips are turned in, and campers load our vans & buses, driven by loving volunteers. When the students arrive at the Mission, they receive their camp t-shirts, then re-load the buses. Promptly at 9:30, the caravan pulls out, headed to Camp Thurman, who hosts our children’s camp each year.  Tillie Burgin, our Executive Director, waves on each bus filled with kids.  When the kids arrive at camp, they are surprised to see Tillie at the front gate waving them in.

The children enter through a tunnel created by Camp Thurman leaders, divide into color groups, and create their own cheers. Then, the whole group worships and prays together before dividing into the day’s activities. Ziplining, pole climbing, water slides, soccer, swimming, basketball (and more) form many of the activities across the day. The children eat lunch together and then listen to a message from God’s word which is shared creatively and, in a style, suited just for them. Everyone gets back home sometime late on Saturday afternoon.

One Youth Camp (7th – 12th)

This past Friday afternoon, July 18th, at 4:00, a long line of Mission Arlington^® buses traveled to Arlington’s Stovall Park for our annual Youth Camp.  Three hundred (300) students heard a lesson from Regina about the grace of God, then the students played volleyball, soccer, and other games.  A craft section and table games formed part of the fun, along with a delicious meal.  By 7:30 – to 9:30, the students cooled off in the park’s massive pool. Everyone was back home by 10:00.

We are grateful for your support.

These camps are provided at no charge to the students, because of the way our community continues to give.  We are also so appreciative of your prayers as we share God’s love with the young people in our community.  We are thankful too for all the ways you volunteer to make a difference here.  We are truly grateful for you!