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Summer Camp 2013
Dear Friend,
Have you ever given of yourself, at times reluctantly or tiredly, and then been pleasantly surprised to find out how much you really helped the recipient? Maybe it was that you thought you had too much to do, or you thought it didn’t matter if you were there. But, you gave of yourself, and then later you found that your presence not only blessed someone, but you were blessed in the service that you gave. And then you learned that others were encouraged by your being there. Or maybe you happened to run into a parent after some time had passed, and they thanked you again because they appreciated your time and effort.
Well, I’d like to share an opportunity for you to give--- not of yourself, but in a financial way to help others who will give of themselves. We can never really know how much of a blessing we are, but you can be sure there will be many people blessed by your generosity.
 Summerhill’s Summer Camp program needs your support and gifts to make it possible for a child to attend. Not only will that child be blessed by seven weeks of enrichment activities, service projects, field trips, Bible studies, music, dance drama, arts-and-crafts, academic drills and recreation, but that child’s parents and teachers will be blessed as well. And the community will be blessed and enriched by these children being busy and active rather than bored and roaming the streets.
Over the years, we have seen many campers grow from being rowdy kids with behavioral problems to respectful and responsible young adults. Teachers have noticed improved attitudes, better class work, and parents have seen changes in how their children behave. Campers have understood and remembered their lessons, and retold them to family members. Further, because they were exposed to a diversity of staff and activities, they grew in their ability to handle different situations and learned how to problem-solve rather than over-react.
 Many of our campers go on to participate in our job/leadership training program. Our Summer Camp program gives older youth an opportunity to learn teamwork and individual responsibility. They learn how to encourage and support the children in their learning process. These young people learn hands-on ministry while completing a character study designed to teach good work habits, leadership skills, and time management. Their “on the job training” includes life skill classes in ethics, communication and money management, and we address real life teen issues. These invaluable lessons help these young people grow up into responsible, mature and productive adults.
So, while 55-60 kids aged 5-15 expand their horizons through Christian curriculum, 10 youth aged 16-21 are also gaining a work ethic and developing positive lifelong habits. By the time you consider how many family members and other people each of these youths will interact with, Summer Camp is a gift that really keeps on giving! 
I would like to personally invite you to share in this blessing by considering a gift of $65 to cover the cost of one week of Summer Camp program for one child from a low-income family. Historically, 95% of our kids come from low-income, single-parent homes. Our interns are motivated kids generally from low-income families within the five surrounding communities. Your gift makes it possible for both groups to be reached at the same time.
Of course, gifts of any amount are greatly appreciated. Equally helpful are gas cards, Wal-Mart or Kroger gift cards, donations of bottled water and juices or paper goods (cups, plates, silverware, napkins, toilet tissue, or paper towels).
Perhaps your Sunday school class, Women’s group, Mission group or other organizations would consider having a special “Day for Summerhill” and collect some of the above mentioned items, or sponsor a child or children, or come to prepare lunches, or drive for a field trip.
Opportunities abound for giving financially, or if you can give of yourself, I would be delighted to speak with you about our many volunteer opportunities listed above. It takes many hands to make Summer Camp a reality!
You have been a good friend of this ministry and I appreciate the ways you shared your gifts with us. Will you consider doing so again in order to make Summer Camp a reality for children in the downtown Atlanta area, and many others beyond? Please consider how you can help!
Thank you,
Justina Dix
Ministry Director
printable version of letter (.pdf)
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Special Awards
Chantel Simmons- Principal’s List, Student of the year award, top scores in math, science, and social studies CRCT testing and ELA ( pictured with Mom)
Myleondre Jones- Honor Roll, Top highest reading score (pictured with Aunt & Uncle)
Malika Wyche- Honor Roll, perfect attendance for the whole year, Spanish award (pictured on the right)
Destiny Middlebrooks- Spanish award and perfect attendance (pictured on the left) |
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Angelo Williams- Most Improved, and Read to Succeed award (pictured with Mom & little sister)
Trevion Smith- promoted to 6 th grade (on the left)
Dreleon Jones- Honor roll, top reading and math score in his grade. Promoted to 6 th grade (in the middle)
Brandon Ward- Promoted to 6 th grade (on the right)
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Markiah Kelly- promoted to 6 th grade (pictured with Mom)
Nicholas Robinson- promoted to 6 th grade (pictured with Justina)
Tyquantis Jones- honor roll
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