Camp Scholarships

The Ultimate Investment

Something special happens inside my heart this time of year as we count down the days to when we begin welcoming children for a week at camp! I close my eyes and envision the first morning of summer camp – eager counselors, support staff, year-round staff, and volunteers, all radiating an incredible amount of enthusiasm as they unload love and joy.

I see the camp week filled with polar bear swims, all-camp games, dinner and s’mores over the campfire, slushies at the camp store, Bible Studies against the backdrop of Lake Michigan, and conversations between counselors and kids, from the ridiculous to the most meaningful. Throw in sunsets, zip line rides, talent show performances, and wholehearted worship, and you have an experience many of us wish we could encounter again or for the very first time.

Each summer we receive over 500 requests from families needing financial assistance to send their child/children to camp. Last year donors collectively gave over $112,000 to help 569 kids come to camp. It’s an incredible gift to have the resources to help these kids get to camp. We are grateful for everyone who makes this possible!

While there are a variety of reasons families request scholarship assistance, a significant number of kids come through our community partnerships such as Belay Ministries and Kids Hope USA. Tara Follett, at Belay Ministries had this to say about Camp Geneva:

Camp has such a lifelong effect on our middle school students, not only earthly – but for the Kingdom! The local partnership we’ve had with GENEVA is so unique. Our local ministry reaches out to at-risk students in West Ottawa and provides programming throughout the school year. Summer camp gives our students the chance to be kids, free of any struggles at home, consistent meals, schedules, counselors who care deeply, and most importantly – the opportunity to say yes to Jesus! Our ministry gets to celebrate their decisions and continue their faith walk with them long after camp is over.”

If you’d like to join us in making it possible for a child to experience GENEVA, you can make an online gift.

My friend Kurt, an investment advisor, always said giving camp scholarships “is the ULTIMATE investment”!

We cannot wait to welcome kids, regardless of their financial situation, to experience God’s love at GENEVA. I look forward to seeing you at camp or a Sunday worship service this summer.

Sincerely,

Kevin VanderKlok
Executive Director