ALL ABOARD FOR SUMMER CAMP
Hope Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND

In 1998, Hope Lutheran began their Summer Camp idea with one offering.  Due to the overwhelming response, five more options were added the next summer.  Now in their fourth year, the following reflects 16 week-long diverse, fun and energetic summer opportunities for children, all led by volunteers!  If you are looking for ways to celebrate the varied gifts and interest in your congregation, or to add an intergenerational component to your Christian education programming, here’s the perfect way to invite leadership from among your adults and older youth.  Hope’s model is easily adaptable for congregations of any size or location.

The staff at Hope will tell you it has been a learning experience as the program grew.  There is a registration fee for each participant and in most cases they have set limits on the size of the camps and ages involved.  Depending on the activity, camps are scheduled for half-day or day-long sessions.  If you are considering running more than two consecutive weeks of programming, the staff recommends that you contact your State Licensing Department.  Each state will vary but in North Dakota, Hope was required to have full-time, paid child-care staff on site.

For more information, call Jackie, Director of Children’s Ministry at 701/235-6629.  She is very willing to offer insights and practical suggestions on how this approach may work in your setting.

GAMES GALORE				Grades K-6th		9-4
Enjoy all types of games; running games, ball games, crazy fun games, creative movement, team building and problem-solving games.  Children will participate in games with lessons that enhance messages in the Bible.

VEGGIE TOWN VALUES & MORE	Grades K-6th		9-4
Join us for Veggie Town Values (our morning VBS program) and stay for the afternoon while we learn great family values from your favorite characters like Bob, the Tomato and Larry, the Cucumber!

MORE ALIKE THAN DIFFERENT		Grades K-6th		9-4
We all have unique characteristics and abilities that make us special.  This camp will be an effective way to help children develop an understanding of people with disabilities.  Students will discover that in God’s sight each person is different and special.

REACH AROUND THE WORLD		Grades K-3rd		9-noon
Take a world vacation with us, this summer.  We will be “traveling” to different countries and learning about their culture through crafts, cooking and various other activities.

GREEK FOR A WEEK			Grades 3rd-6th		9-noon
Pastor Mark Vitalis Hoffman will lead 3rd-6th graders as they explore and learn a “new” language.  Join him as you discover the wonders of Greek!

DECADES OF DANCE			Grades K-6th		1-4
Everybody loves to dance!  Here’s your chance to discover new ways to move and groove to music of the past decades while praising and worshiping God!

ON THE MOVE!				Grades K-6th		9-4
We will be on the move all week long as we learn about transportation in God’s world through crafts, activities and field trips.

MEDIA PLAY				Grades K-6th		9-4
Join us for a week of experimenting with different types of media.  We will explore the range from printed media to audio media to visual media.

JESUS TO THE RESCUE			Grades K-6th		9-4
Students will set out each day on exciting explorations of some of the Bible’s most daring real-life rescues.  You will learn that Jesus comes to the rescue of those in need today and you will discover that Jesus wants you to be part of His rescue team.

TAE KWON DO CAMP			Grades 4th-6th		9-noon
Children will learn the basics and practice fundamentals while having a great time together!

CREATIVE COOKING			Grades K-6th		1-4
This camp will be an exciting opportunity for your child to become a chef.  Students will learn how to properly clean food, prepare food and how to clean up after cooking.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY			Grades K-6th		9-4
Spend days going the journey of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus.  Join us as we celebrate the message of Christmas through crafts, music, food and drama.

BEACH TREK:  BIBLE EXPERIENCE	Grades K-6th		9-4
Beach Trek: Bible experience invites you to come meet Jesus and experience his life-changing love.  During Beach Trek you will explore stories of Jesus- his baptism in the Jordan River, his calming the stormy sea, his lakeside storytelling; and his post-resurrection breakfast with the disciples on the beach.  You will be challenged to carry Jesus’ message into the world as Paul did.

SPORTS CAMP				Grades K-6th		9-4
Sports! Sports! Sports! Throughout the week we will be learning the importance of teamwork in the world of sports and in our lives as Christians in the wide variety of sports we participate in.

SUMMER THEATER CAMP		Grades K-6th		9-4
Do you like plays, singing, building things, or going on field trips?  During this week, camp participants will develop and perform a Christian musical.  Each day will include dramatic rehearsals, choral practices, set construction, costuming and prop preparation plus a major field trip!

BACK ON TRACK				Grades K-6th		9-4
Join us for a fun-filled week as we wrap up summer fun activities and get “back on track” to school.

Extended Day Supervision

This option is available from 7:30-9 am and from 4-6 pm.  The cost is $3.00 per session.  Children must be pre-registered for extended day supervision.

Elementary children who will be attending both morning and afternoon programs will be supervised from noon until 1 pm at no extra charge.  Be sure to bring a bag lunch and beverage.