De’Andre’s Story of Friendship
At River Valley Ranch, kids have been introduced to Jesus for over 70 years! (RVR is our ministry partner and a beautiful 500-acre year-round retreat facility and summer camp in northern Carroll County.)
For some kids though, the possibility of summer camp seems out of reach. It’s through the kindness of others that scholarships provide the opportunity.
“We are from the city of Washington, D.C., and blessings like a camp scholarship do not come often to children within our community. Being a single mom, I was so happy my son De’Andre could attend camp,” one mom shared. “I am truly thankful he had the opportunity to escape the city and gain the experiences at RVR.”
Once at camp, it’s through friendships with counselors and fellow campers that young people like De’Andre experience the love of God and leave camp spiritually impacted.
Each camper becomes part of a small group: they bunk and share meals together and gather for group discussions after services. The services and small group times are important moments – opportunities for campers to be seen, heard, and cared for; to learn how much God loves them, to talk about Jesus, and have a safe space to share.
The camp counselors who shepherd these groups are one of the most pivotal components of the meaningful life-impact God makes at camp.
“He now comes home and reads the Bible at night,” De’Andre’s mom shares. “He talks about how his counselor taught him to love his family… and he LOVED the camp food! I could not believe he cried so much as we were leaving. I want to personally thank the counselor so much for consoling my son as it was time to go.”
Relationships are everything – the one with God Himself being the most important. He uses these connections to draw us to Him, and at River Valley Ranch, the friendships God forms at camp can stay with a camper for a lifetime.
You can help another child like De’Andre form meaningful friendships with a gift to the RVR Scholarship Program. Plus, your gift will also give a mom hope for her son’s future. Why not make your gift here today?
