– Kim R. Smith, Sound District Lay Leader
One of my favorite summer camp songs that I learned as a child attending Camp Don Lee was, Pass it On written by Kurt Frederic Kaiser. The song begins…” It only takes a spark to get a fire going and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing. That’s how it is with God’s love…once you’ve experienced it. You spread his love to everyone you want to pass it on.” This summer, local churches in partnership with Camp Don Lee are lighting sparks in the hearts of children across the Sound!
For the past several years, Camp Don Lee has partnered with local churches to take camp to students. All over eastern NC, members of the “Leaders in Training” (LIT) program from Don Lee have moved into church buildings for the week. They have left their bunk beds and bath houses for church floors and often a camp style shower attached to a water hose.
While there, they have provided students in the community who may never be able to attend summer camp, with an experience they will never forget. For four days, the LITs teach camp songs, tell Bible stories, play games, incorporate science with nature activities, and create amazing crafts. Then on the final day, the campers are taken by bus to Camp Don Lee for a day of sailing, kayaking, swimming, and more! It’s a week they will never forget.
The host churches provide housing and meals for the Camp Don Lee staff. They coordinate with local school districts to have lunches provided for students. Volunteers assist with daily activities and get a little camp experience of their own. Voyage is an experience for hearts of all ages!
I love the concept…because it is really our calling… of taking camp to students where they are in this part of the state. Camp Don Lee is going and finding children with the help of churches and delivering the word of God to them, while sharing his love with every word and deed. That is lighting a spark that will set the world on fire!
How are we lighting sparks? Consider the final verse of the song…
“I wish for you my friend this happiness that I’ve found. You can depend on him; it matters not where you’re bound. I’ll shout it from the mountaintop I want my world to know…The Lord of love has come to me…I want to pass it on.” Find a way this summer to go and light a spark!