Every summer for the past 26 years, youth living in the Methodist Family Health Children’s Homes, now known as Qualified Residential Treatment Programs, have helped facilitate and then participate in the Reverend Robert Regnier Memorial Summer Camp. They form a committee of peers to advise on what they want their camp experience to be and even choose each year’s camp theme; this summer they chose “Record Revival”. We want you to hear from Emily Shields, Methodist Children’s Home Program Consultant, and some of the campers themselves about what camp means to them.
Campers performed songs they had prepared for the talent show.
What Is the Magic of Camp to an Employee?
“It is difficult to put the magic of the Rev. Robert Regnier MFH Summer Camp into words, but I’m going to try…
It’s months of preparation— led by our youth themselves.
It’s thousands of donations from kind-hearted folks who pour into our kids from afar.
It’s countless hours of praying, planning, moving, lifting, organizing, sorting, decorating, and cheerfully inviting everyone to join in. And it’s so much sweating, y’all.
It’s being mindful about food preferences, allergies, inhalers, EpiPens, insulin, triggers, sunscreen, bug spray, birthdays, anniversaries, phobias, love triangles… trying to pay attention to all the important things.
It’s singing, dancing, crafting, playing, crying, praying, a lot of punting— because things don’t always go as planned, and being open to trying new stuff.
It’s a celebration of overcoming obstacles and cheering each other on.
It’s giving out awards for effort, creativity, sportsmanship, helpfulness, and kindness.
And then it’s putting everything away and doing it again next year.
Our kiddos got to document some firsts this year: first bonfire, first lake swim, first time in a kayak, first time performing on stage.
I’m grateful to work with THE BEST team of people. They spent five days -around the clock- modeling, teaching, caregiving, leading, using humor to diffuse tension, intervening during crisis, negotiating, problem-solving, and more.”
Emily Shields, MCH Program Consultant
MCH staff who made camp possible
What Is the Magic of Camp to Campers?
The quotes and art below are excerpts from thank-you notes written by campers for donors who gave to this year’s Bibles & Camp direct mail campaign, which raises funds for camp.
“I enjoyed this camp experience because it really opened my eyes and brought out a more adventurous side I never thought I had. Thank you!”
“I enjoy camp because I had a good time and got to meet new people. I got to experience new activities and places.”
“Camp was so fun! I haven’t had this much fun in a while.”
“I enjoy camp because we spend time as a real family, and I really love doing the talent show, playing volleyball, basketball, and going on the outing. I tried new things and new foods and had a lot of fun being in a new life and time.”
Donate to Methodist Family Health Foundation to help make magic like this possible for those in the care of Methodist Family Health!
