Phila Camp

The Bridgman Phila Camp is a program that was created through the UCCSA Development Office as a response to the needs of many children in South African communities due to HIV/AIDS, a scourge that is devastating South Africa. Children who are "affected" need some kind of respite from all their situations thus, Phila Camp was initiated. It took more than six months to develop the program.

There are various camps within the Phila Camp Project; The Weekend Adventure Camp, Youth and Young Adult Leadership Camp and Care Givers Camp. Visits and flyers to schools and churches generated the interest in the Phila Camp Project. Teacher's and school leaders were so appreciative of being involved in such a program.

Our debut camp took place on the 05 - 07 December 2003 @ the UCCSA Conference Center where approx. 25 kids and 10 youth Counselors from UCCSA churches and different schools participated. It was exiting and rewarding for all that were there. One particular camper touched many of us in a special way, the young boy who looked after his mom until she departed. He expressed how happy he was to have had a chance to "just be a kid". Many of us wept, realizing his joy and freedom to not have to deal with such a "grown-up" situation that weekend. The teachers at his school reported, that after that weekend at Phila Camp, he had a smile planted on his face for the entire school week!

The campers participated in different activities like jewelry making, sports and letter writing to prominent people in South Africa and overseas. At camp, we do not just play, we learn about HIV & AIDS. Coping skills and ideas of income generating projects are covered as well. William and Veronica Kyle provided onsite training for our counselors and volunteers. This year, Rev. Kyle will run the camp training sessions for new counselors to learn about the many facets of outdoors ministry.

Pray with us that Phila Camp will continue to be a beacon of light and hope in South Africa.

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