ALABAMA: Young Episcopalians spend time with disadvantaged children

July 24, 2009 [Diocese of Alabama] Some 80 high school and college-age students from throughout the Diocese of Alabama gave up the comforts of home and a week of their summer to spend it with kids in the rural Black Belt region of Alabama -- one of the poorest areas in the South.

The young Episcopalians spent July 13-17 in rural Hale County, Alabama, serving as counselors and staff for the Sawyerville Day Camp. The camp, which serves economically disadvantaged children in the area, is a partnership between the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama Youth Department and Episcopal parishes in the Black Belt.

"The camp provides the children with an opportunity to just be kids and have fun in a camp environment created especially for them, without being framed in the light of the region's poverty," explained Leslie Manning, diocesan youth ministries coordinator. "It is an experience that is marked by faith, inclusion, joy and deep Christ-centered relationships. It allows the campers to experience Christ's love shared in a new way."

"For many of the campers this is the highlight of their entire year," said Wil Benton, a high school student and member of Church of the Ascension in Montgomery, who was serving his second year as a counselor. "As counselors you give of yourself without expecting anything in return ... God's love really shines through these campers. You can learn a lot about God's love from them."

During the week, campers have the opportunity to swim, play basketball, attend music workshops, participate in arts and crafts, and attend a carnival. They also work in small groups to have discussions on biblical themes, perform biblically inspired skits, and tell stories. The older campers also participate in an HIV/AIDS awareness program.

The Black Belt is an area of limited resources. "There is no community center, and the young people do not have many of the opportunities afforded to children in other areas of the state," said Manning. Campers come from Sawyerville, Greensboro and Akron.

"It's basically 'camp-in-a-box,'" explained Manning. "We don't have a permanent facility in the Black Belt. Instead, schools in the area take turns providing facilities and buses to transport the campers."

This year the facilities were provided by Sunshine School in Newbern. Counselors and staff stay in area homes. All of the equipment and supplies (much of which is donated by individuals and Episcopal congregations) must be brought in by the staff.

Parishioners from 70 of Alabama's 92 parishes were involved in supporting this year's camp in one way or another. These included serving as members of the youth or adult staff, providing donations, and serving as prayer partners with the staff.

This year's camp was the largest ever according to Manning. "Some 280 campers are registered and we have a waiting list," he said. "This year we also inaugurated a mini-camp to accommodate additional children from Newbern."

Further information on Sawyerville Day Camp is available here.

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