It's Time for Summer Camp!

School’s out and summer break is officially underway!  For the Leverage Ministries staff, that means it’s time for our annual summer camp.

On Monday morning, we will load up 30 at-risk teenage boys, along with 10 staff members and volunteers, and head to the Ocala National Forest. For many of the kids, this will be their first experience away from home, and we want to make it a great week for them.

Home life isn’t easy for these boys, and the worries they have to shoulder at a young age are ones that many of us can’t imagine.

…Will there be enough food? 

…Will the power be turned off because the bill wasn’t paid? 

…Will they be evicted? 

…Will they be abused or watch as a brother or sister is abused?

Would you pray specifically for each one of these teenagers—that they will be free from the stresses of what they deal with at home so that they can enjoy just being kids for the week? 

We strive to fill the week with fun activities, including swimming in a lake, fishing, hiking and going to the beach. A lot of these boys have never done any of these things before. 

They also get three meals a day, and sadly, even this is a luxury for many of them. 

But the most important thing we do is share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with these kids. In order to do this, we have to build relationships with them so that we gain the right to be heard. It can be hard for them to trust adults. So please pray that our group of 10 staff members and volunteers will be patient with the boys and have the opportunity to spend time with them, talking one-on-one and earning their respect and trust so that we can share Christ. 

In addition, pray for the health and safety of the entire group throughout the week. 

Thank you all so much for your part in making this week of camp possible. Whether you have sponsored campers, participated in our golf tournament, made donations towards camp or committed yourself to prayer, we appreciate every one of you.

YOU are making a difference in the lives of these teenagers, and I can’t wait to send a follow-up email that shares all of the amazing things that God did during our week of camp.

In Him,

Scott Hirdes

P.S. There are still opportunities to sponsor campers. Click here to give to the Leverage Ministries Summer Camp Scholarship Fund.