Camp and Other Ways of Giving
Posted on Jul 08, 2026 by Pastor Jealaine Marple
As I compose this, I have just returned from vacation. It was a restful time away visiting family in north Texas as well as a few days in Austin. The weather was sweltering but we still managed to have a good time. And as soon as we returned home on Monday, we started preparation to send our daughter, EJ, to camp.
EJ has been attending Camp Shalom in Maquoketa, Iowa, for seven years. When we lived in Iowa, we chose Camp Shalom because it was close. As a mom, I thought, “if anything goes wrong, I’m right down the road!” Now, Camp Shalom has turned into one of her favorite places.
When we moved to Kansas City, EJ negotiated that she would still be able to return to camp. It is, as she says, her “favorite week of the year.” I’ve tried to talk her into trying other camps (like Tomah Shinga or Rainbow Trail) but she loves Camp Shalom and looks forward to the day when she can be a counselor at camp.
I never had the opportunity to attend a church camp. I spent many summers at Girl Scout camp though. We have heard from many of our young people how much time at Rainbow Trail has formed them and shaped their faith. Camp doesn’t happen without a cost. EJ’s week at camp is now well over $500, and for us, it’s money well spent. A week at Rainbow Trail (that our kids are experiencing right now) is $540. Again, it’s money well spent. But none of this happens without scholarships.
Any kid who wants to attend camp should be able to do so. You’ve heard the difference it can make. If you feel so moved, you can make an additional contribution to our funds to help send kids to camp. Even a small $20 given by a few people can make a big difference. If you’re not able to financially help, please know that praying for our youth is also a valuable gift. If you have questions about making a financial contribution to camp (or other funds), don’t hesitate to reach out!
Peace,
Pastor J