Transforming Lives at Camp Galilee
Transforming Lives at Camp Galilee By: Dolores Iniesta
For three years, the Hispanic community has sent children to Camp Galilee on Campership funds. Children must participate in one or more ministries and events at All Saints in order to be considered for the campership fund as acolytes, greeters, lecturers, event setup, and performing. In 2012, All Saints and Christ Church sent fifty-two children to camp and in 2013, sixty-one children and one family attended camp. Each child came back not only excited about camp but also enthusiastic about serving the church so that they would be chosen to attend camp again. Many of the parents shared that their children returned transformed stating, “My child came back a whole different kid; she tells me how much she appreciates us!”, “My child returned saying how much they loved me!”, “My child returned saying that they are sorry for misbehaving and are going to act better!” One story stands out from the others. A teenager who was very withdrawn and unapproachable had been attending my catechism class for several months and would be entering high school soon. I worried that he would have a difficult road ahead. We packed him off to camp with the hope that he would have some fun. The teen who returned was a smiling and chatty young man, full of spirit and enthusiasm. I asked him about his week at camp and he said that he had had a great time, and had made many friends. He also could not wait to work and serve in the church so that he could go back to camp! It was clear that whatever he had experienced at Camp Galilee had helped him turn a page. His parents were amazed at the change saying that he was the same at home – an outgoing and joyful young man. I wondered what happened at Camp Galilee. How did one week at Camp Galilee turn this young man around when we were not able to help him in six months? What was the secret? In 2014, I was fortunate enough to attend family camp. I had been to Lake Tahoe loved the area and had camped although not in a congregational setting. As I prepared myself for the experience, I asked several of the children for their advice. Bug repellent was the biggest piece of advice. I asked 9-year-old Diana what I should pack and she said with a smile. “Take three changes of clothes per day, because you will get dirty from hiking and wet from swimming.” Another child told me that I might need take a small shovel for bathroom breaks during hikes. “The water is freezing!” said one little girl with a smile on her face. She continued to say that if I would take the early morning polar swim, I would get a cup of hot cocoa on Friday. I could not imagine what I would encounter based upon the “recommendations” from the experts. Nevertheless, I was ready to take the Camp Galilee challenge! After settling in, we joined the rest of the group at the campfire to sing. I was quite surprised to see and hear all the kids singing – and shocked that MY kids, the ones who were normally very shy and reserved, dance and sing without the feeling out of place or awkward. I found myself so excited about the next day that I could not sleep. Morning came early and the week was filled with hiking, singing, kayaking, and swimming. Time at camp flew by and on Thursday, I was suddenly sad. I had experienced such peace of mind I realized that I did not want to return to the world of stress and daily life. I did not know what was happening in the outside world and was not aware of world events. What I was aware of was a deep connection to GOD - one that I did not want to let go of. I woke up thinking of God; my whole day was involved with God, and I went to sleep with God. Our return brought many things – children eager to share their experiences and personal stories, an older teen sharing a desire to become an Episcopal priest, and a reminder for me to make time for God! I believe that Galilee is our own Garden of Eden - a place to love and serve each other as equals, to place to care for and respect His creations. Camp Galilee gives our children what we fail to give – a belief and love of God over all things and the tools to become independent and refined leaders in our church and our community I would like to say thank you to those who support or donate to the camper scholarship fund. Your contribution has given these children the opportunity to see a world outside Las Vegas. We must continue to uphold and support this very valuable program, as it is more than tents and campfire songs. I also invite you to attend Camp Galilee. I promise you will return transformed in the spirit of GOD. Blessings, Dolores Iniesta
For three years, the Hispanic community has sent children to Camp Galilee on Campership funds. Children must participate in one or more ministries and events at All Saints in order to be considered for the campership fund as acolytes, greeters, lecturers, event setup, and performing. In 2012, All Saints and Christ Church sent fifty-two children to camp and in 2013, sixty-one children and one family attended camp. Each child came back not only excited about camp but also enthusiastic about serving the church so that they would be chosen to attend camp again. Many of the parents shared that their children returned transformed stating, “My child came back a whole different kid; she tells me how much she appreciates us!”, “My child returned saying how much they loved me!”, “My child returned saying that they are sorry for misbehaving and are going to act better!” One story stands out from the others. A teenager who was very withdrawn and unapproachable had been attending my catechism class for several months and would be entering high school soon. I worried that he would have a difficult road ahead. We packed him off to camp with the hope that he would have some fun. The teen who returned was a smiling and chatty young man, full of spirit and enthusiasm. I asked him about his week at camp and he said that he had had a great time, and had made many friends. He also could not wait to work and serve in the church so that he could go back to camp! It was clear that whatever he had experienced at Camp Galilee had helped him turn a page. His parents were amazed at the change saying that he was the same at home – an outgoing and joyful young man. I wondered what happened at Camp Galilee. How did one week at Camp Galilee turn this young man around when we were not able to help him in six months? What was the secret? In 2014, I was fortunate enough to attend family camp. I had been to Lake Tahoe loved the area and had camped although not in a congregational setting. As I prepared myself for the experience, I asked several of the children for their advice. Bug repellent was the biggest piece of advice. I asked 9-year-old Diana what I should pack and she said with a smile. “Take three changes of clothes per day, because you will get dirty from hiking and wet from swimming.” Another child told me that I might need take a small shovel for bathroom breaks during hikes. “The water is freezing!” said one little girl with a smile on her face. She continued to say that if I would take the early morning polar swim, I would get a cup of hot cocoa on Friday. I could not imagine what I would encounter based upon the “recommendations” from the experts. Nevertheless, I was ready to take the Camp Galilee challenge! After settling in, we joined the rest of the group at the campfire to sing. I was quite surprised to see and hear all the kids singing – and shocked that MY kids, the ones who were normally very shy and reserved, dance and sing without the feeling out of place or awkward. I found myself so excited about the next day that I could not sleep. Morning came early and the week was filled with hiking, singing, kayaking, and swimming. Time at camp flew by and on Thursday, I was suddenly sad. I had experienced such peace of mind I realized that I did not want to return to the world of stress and daily life. I did not know what was happening in the outside world and was not aware of world events. What I was aware of was a deep connection to GOD - one that I did not want to let go of. I woke up thinking of God; my whole day was involved with God, and I went to sleep with God. Our return brought many things – children eager to share their experiences and personal stories, an older teen sharing a desire to become an Episcopal priest, and a reminder for me to make time for God! I believe that Galilee is our own Garden of Eden - a place to love and serve each other as equals, to place to care for and respect His creations. Camp Galilee gives our children what we fail to give – a belief and love of God over all things and the tools to become independent and refined leaders in our church and our community I would like to say thank you to those who support or donate to the camper scholarship fund. Your contribution has given these children the opportunity to see a world outside Las Vegas. We must continue to uphold and support this very valuable program, as it is more than tents and campfire songs. I also invite you to attend Camp Galilee. I promise you will return transformed in the spirit of GOD. Blessings, Dolores Iniesta
