By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) — A field at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center was transformed to a mini water park for 15 people with special needs during the fourth annual Champions Camp, Sept. 7-9.
The campers, accompanied by 20 “buddies” and staff, displayed their best moves on the water slide and tossed suds made by a water foam cannon.
Among those was Logan Singletary, a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria.
“Tossing all these suds really was something that I had fun doing and it’s a reason I love coming out here to this camp,” Singletary told the Baptist Message. “I’m really glad they had this for us, and it made me smile.”
The Louisiana Baptist summer camp for people with special needs matched participants with buddies who accompanied them during the event. The camp featured karaoke, an ice cream sundae party, fishing, games, a demonstration of a dog obedient to his master and worship designed for children and adults from ages 8 and up who have intellectual or development disabilities.
Clint Stewart, who served as camp pastor, said the event allowed each person to realize they are a champion and loved by God.
“I have come every year since this camp began but this year was very special because I got to share with the campers about God’s love as the camp pastor,” said Stewart, pastor of Ethel Baptist Church. “This camp really shows what God intended love to be. These campers love unconditionally.”
Julie Johnston, a member of Christ’s Community Church, Denham Springs, first attended in 2018 with her son, Zac. But even after he passed away in 2021, Johnston and her husband, John, remained committed to the camp’s mission and continued attending.
“The kids are so loving to one another and tell us that this is their camp,” Johnston said. “The parents who come get to also connect with other parents who have children with special needs and it’s just a special bond they share. When you get to attend worship and sing to Jesus it really makes for a special moment.”
The idea for Champions Camp was born after a similar experience at a camp coordinated by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma that Louisiana Baptist Children’s Ministry Strategist David Anderson and his family, including his daughter, Chloe, attended for more than 10 years. Anderson wanted to bring that same camp experience to Louisiana.
Since Champions Camp began, Anderson has seen so many special needs persons experience camp for the first time.
“This is one of my favorite weekends of the entire year,” Anderson said. “The campers get to come out here for a fun-filled few days and enjoy a sense of normalcy. They are able to thrive in an environment where they can be themselves and learn more about God.”
Anderson said many of the campers and their parents already have begun planning for next year’s camp. He encourages churches to tap into what he considers an unreached people group.
“One of the hopes of this camp is to serve as an inspiration and springboard for churches to be more welcoming to people and families with special needs,” Anderson said. “Any church that would like to explore the opportunities that this amazing type of ministry should contact the childhood ministry office at the Baptist Building for more help.”
Champions Camp will return Sept. 6, 2024, at Tall Timbers. For information or to be put on the mailing list e-mail david. anderson@louisianabaptists.org or Darlene. taylor@louisianabaptists.org.
