Members of Tree of Life Lutheran Church in Garland have been doing what they can to help the community recover after the tornado in December. One way they are helping is by hosting Camp Noah. Though it is a Lutheran church, Camp Noah is faith-valued, meaning it encourages students of all faiths to attend – the focus is on resiliency building, not proselytizing.
The camp is a free weeklong day camp (8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.) providing 50 elementary aged children a week of FUN.
“During Camp Noah, a team of Certified Camp Staff accompanies campers through an intentional process that enables the children to process their disaster and/or trauma experiences and gives them the space and time necessary to tell their stories and build resiliency skills. Campers participate in small groups, large group time (including music, skits and puppet shows), crafts and recreation time.” Camp Noah website
The church is able to provide two weeks of camp for free. That’s 100 kids! Camp includes breakfast, lunch, two snacks and hundreds in supplies per kid.
There are still over 60 spots available.
Registration is free: https://campscui.active.com/orgs/CampNoah#/selectSessions/1313203
Camp Noah fills community needs in various ways:
The camp fills a unique need in focusing on recovery and resilience among children.
It provides communities an opportunity to work together on a shared project.
The camp helps to make new connections between families in need and resources in the community.
It offers new hope while also bringing greater awareness to the continuing needs of the community.
“The deepest, most profound wounds are not on the landscape, but in the hearts and souls of adults and children. … Camp Noah allows [children to share their feelings] in a very safe, loving way so that children can name those wounds, [and] begin to see what growth and resiliency is and can be.” – Certified Camp Staff member