On June 30th campers will roll in on yellow buses from NYC and step off to a cheering crowd of staff, a favorite tradition to show campers their intrinsic value. The moment of arrival ends the anxious unknowns. Can you partner with us this summer? Add a time on your schedule to pray each week for the journey of every camper, CIT, staff member and family to experience that they are valued, accepted, and full of hope in God’s unfailing love. Consider supporting the Be a Kid campaign to support campers awaiting scholarships.
-Lori Bumpas, Executive Director
CAMP SHILOH 2024 UPDATE
Camp is so excited Greg Jackson is our new Camp Director! With over a decade of experience in youth program leadership and a deep commitment to developing young people, he brings a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm.
‘Connections’ is a focus this summer. Staff and camp will be encouraged to become more aware of how powerful it is to develop meaningful connections with God and with each other. We will use the ‘Fruits of the Spirit’ (from Galatians 5) as a foundation for building and modeling connections.
This summer we have 6 former CITs serving on staff! With young adults joining the staff from all over the U.S. we have an incredible opportunity to open barriers, celebrate cultures and love more deeply.
BREATHE AND BE A KID
Reflections from a Shiloh Counselor and Former Camper
“When I was a kid, I always had to be somewhat of an adult with so many responsibilities and distractions. When I would come to Shiloh I would hand my phone in and be able to breathe and be a kid without having any worries. I didn’t have to worry about what I'm doing for the day, what I'm putting on for the day, about what I'm eating for the day--everything's already set for me. All I have to do is breathe and have fun.
Camp is important for kids because when you're home, there's a lot going on, especially in the Bronx. There's fights and things that we shouldn’t be worried about as kids. We need a space where we can go to God, we can have friends, and not care what shoes you have on your feet. We're at camp-they're getting dirty anyway.
As a counselor, I want kids to know the cabin is a safe space for everyone. They come to me and say, "I couldn't wait to see you today. I had so much to tell you." That just brings joy. Kids come to camp even though they say, ‘Dang, I don't have my phone. I can't call anybody. I can't do all the things I want to do.’ But this is one of the only places that they come and they say, ‘they're real with me here. I trust them here. As much as sometimes people here may get on my nerves, annoy me, make me sad, I'm safe here.’
CAMPER SCHOLARSHIPS
Being a kid at Shiloh means exploring in a completely new setting. Being a kid means letting go of the armor needed in daily life to feel safe, and dressing up the absolute wackiest for BINGO night. We make it normal to get pumped to play games, to pretend to be pirates, to learn to swim, to feel the rush of zip-lining, and even to have a daily cabin chore. After a few days, the desire to check out on a phone fades away, and being present with new friends, activities, and celebration becomes the priority.
This summer you are invited to BE A KID with Shiloh. Instead of spending money to go out, donate to camper scholarships and plan for a Shiloh style celebration on opening day. Dress up for Shiloh Bingo, stomp and shout “Our God is an Awesome God!”, and get your water balloons ready for pirates!
Share your Shiloh fun night and tag us: @shilohnyc #ShilohFunNight