Changing lives every summer

WHO WE ARE | SNAPSHOT

Salvation Army summer camps, like other summer camps, allow children to experience the outdoors and break away from their normal environment and “plugged–in” lifestyle. We strive to create an atmosphere for our campers to feel that they are part of something special. Every camp leader wants children to feel as if they belong and are valued.

We also let campers know that in our camps, they stand on holy ground, where lives have been transformed and changed. We bring the message of Jesus Christ into everything that makes camp special. We want to unplug kids from their electrtonic devices and plug them into God’s creation. We help them understand that God made everything they see for them to enjoy, and they can find Him in every part of His creation. He’s in every sunset, every rainbow, and every animal in the woods.

We also help kids understand that God has a greater purpose for them. Every new experience at camp, whether it’s learning to dribble a basketball, feed an animal, or go on a nature hike, is a way to build character and learn persistence. They can do things that seem new, difficult, or different, and that is a transferable skill that they can take with them and apply to their everyday lives.

— Captain Joel Ashcraft Divisional Youth Secretary The Salvation Army Northeast Ohio Division