Summer camps are in full swing, offering children engaging ways to spend their break. Among these are Fellowship Bible Church’s Adventure Camps, running from June through early August, where children aged 6-12 can enjoy the outdoors while deepening their understanding of the Bible.
This year, the church has introduced an Olympics Camp, transforming their traditional Sports Camp into a series of competitive events where campers vie for medals. Jenny Genovese, who has become a key leader at the camp after her son started participating, spearheaded the transformation.
“I was asked to revamp the camp, and since it’s an Olympic year, I thought that it would be a good opportunity to try it out,” Genovese said. “The first day focused on Ancient Greece, where the kids played games from that time. Then, on Tuesday, they traveled to Paris, where the games will be held this year.”
Approximately 230 campers were divided into teams based on age, with each team representing one of six countries. The activities included beach volleyball, long jump, and wiffle ball, among others. Each day began with a torch ceremony to kick off the events.
Genovese emphasized the dual benefit of the camps, highlighting both the physical and spiritual growth they offer.
“It’s important for the community itself, because it gives us the chance to share the word of Christ with people who have never heard it before,” she said. “Kids also get to come together to compete and have fun.”
Dan Beasley, the children’s ministry pastor overseeing many of the camps, echoed these sentiments. He sees the Olympics Camp as an excellent opportunity to integrate sports with spiritual development.
“One highlight is seeing the joy of the campers,” Beasley said. “They love the camaraderie and the competition. Another highlight for me is the connection between athleticism and the Christian life. They practice discipline and good habits that can help children grow spiritually.”
Fellowship Bible Church is also hosting several other camps later this summer, including two Pioneer Camps from June 17-20 and July 15-18, a Little Tykes Camp for children aged 4-6, and a Day Camp from July 29-Aug. 2.