Adventure Day Camp 2025
Written by: Rev. Rebecca Knox, A Pretzel City Parish Pastor
Heads-together: the boys peer into the stone oven and smell the freshly baked bread, they’re eager to taste it, again!
Hearts-together: a young girl hands her little paper circle with a hand-drawn globe and the words “Carry* the world in my heart” to the author who helps complete the necklace, each camper took responsibility for their little piece of the earth.
Hands-together: teenage leaders from city, suburbs and rural areas reach for produce growing in the gardens and the woods teaching (and tasting!) with the excited young campers and eager elders – three generations engaged in Christian community.
This Adventure Day Camp had some adversity too.
Rains washed-out the road to part of the area… along with washing-out some of the planned campfires and pool days. What grew out of this problem? West Berks Mission District At-Home Mission Trip – provided an energetic work crew who helped address the road, along with painting and moving/cleaning projects at Zion (Spies) Lutheran.
Very hot days were compounded by an air conditioning system that partially stopped working after 33 years; and partially got melted from a lightening strike, fusing the heat switch in the “on” position… so it was 92 degrees outside and 95 inside one morning as we unlocked the doors to prepare breakfast before the bus and cars arrived with all the campers. A generous donor who is inspired by this cooperation between Widoktadwen, Center for Native Knowledge and the church, now part of the Pretzel City Parish – is helping with a low-interest loan as the Property committee worked to get everything fixed.
We don’t just talk about the weather either. Adversity is close to home – one of the camper-families was living in a shelter this summer. Campers have neighbors and relatives who are immigrants living with anxiety about ICE raids. Volunteers and campers had physical problems that changed their ability to do their jobs, grow their food, and maintain independence. Native American kids and adults were grateful to be able to celebrate their identity instead of hiding it. Insurance policies cost 4x as much in 2025 as they did in 2024 with less coverage, and no longer allowed for rental vans, or using a member’s pool (with lifeguards of course). In these few weeks of camp, the ‘real world’ did not slow-down and neither did our God! The relationships grew and strengthened among the 40+ campers, 70 volunteers and 27 organizations who brought day camp to life – based on Love, Respect, Honesty, Humility, Truth, Bravery and Wisdom – the 7 grandfather teachings which are also characteristics of Jesus and his teachings that we emulate like fruits of the spirit. Additionally, while not one of the direct teachings - we learned a great deal about generosity too: our food costs were less than $150 total for that 1 full days a week for 8 weeks of providing breakfast, lunch, 2 snacks… and even dinner for some! Because of the generosity of cooks, bakers and gardeners sharing produce all around the county, when we prayed and blessed the food, it was like loaves and fishes.
Campers brought loving hugs, laughter and excitement to a small farm just as the farmer’s broken leg healed enough to use a walker – the other farmer had been carrying the load in a busy season.
Campers in need of extra love and care in their own homes, provided love and care to visiting chickens, goats and therapy dogs. Magic, the Emotional Support dog added the whole camp to his duties with his partner… affirming the saying that d-o-g is G-o-d’s reflection of unconditional love.
It’s not only about people… the goats did their part to remove some of the invasive species in the woods. And thank God for: the cool shade of the woods, the refreshing water of the creek at the nearby city Park during the invertebrate study, the giggles during silly games, the awe of artistic creations, the sweet taste of berries straight from the vine, and the soothing heartbeat of the drum! Life goes on, heads together; hearts together; and hands together.
We’ve already started planning for Summer 2026 – new leaders have stepped-up to lead the program. So many teenagers participated that we are dreaming of how to grow the program for this age group. Yes, we are still struggling with insurance complexities, and learning how to work together well as so many organizations and diverse people. Life goes on, heads together; hearts together; and hands together.
Please consider being part of Adventure Day Camp 2026 – come Carry* your piece of the earth with us. *Carry by Annette Garber (Zion (Spies) Lutheran has copies of the book if you’d like to purchase one to share at your church, home, or day care.)
Thank you, Rev. Rebecca Knox, on behalf of the participating congregations of the Pretzel City Parish, for allowing us to share this story.
Pretzel City Parish
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