“If we can’t bring inner city kids to Day Camp Sunshine, let’s bring the camp to them!” was the idea that sparked the initiative for Sunshine Camp Bus (SCB). Todd Haraldsen, Director of Sunshine Day Camp, and Chris Hendrickson, Assistant Director, are committed to sharing the Gospel. There were 135 kids who professed faith in Christ over the summer of 2016. We offer camp scholarships to families in need, which has proven to be very powerful. Yet camp scholarships only help us serve the children who are able to get to our place.
Todd and Chris have developed an amazing solution: stuff a vehicle with basic day camp equipment and two counselors, and bring day camp to churches in Newark. The idea is to connect with churches in the city who may have a facility, but not the means to offer day camp recreation to kids in the area. The Fellowship Deaconry (FDM) will partner with such churches and send our “Sunshine Camp Bus” to them for a day. The church will provide space and volunteers and FDM will provide the rest.
Ms. Shelly Bell, a member of our Board of Directors, and an activist for Christ in the Newark area, loves the idea. Ms. Bell believes there are many churches that would be on board with the program, and who would be willing and able to pay a daily fee to cover the costs. Countless kids would hear the Gospel and have what may possibly be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience God reaching out to them, even if they can’t get to camp.
Our estimated budget to get this program up and running is $75,000. Our needs to jump start this program are: a vehicle (bus or large van), equipment and two additional counselors. If you have an in-kind donation, maybe an extra bus or sports equipment you want to donate, we can use that too! Once we are running, the participation of local churches will sustain the program. As our “Sunshine Camp Bus” thrives in Newark, we hope to expand the program to other areas, including, possibly, Patterson and Trenton. We’ll see how the Lord leads. If the Lord gives you any ideas, or moves upon your heart to help start this program, let us know. If you have any questions or an in-kind donation, please email us at info@deaconry.org or you can donate online at www.deaconry.org/donate.
