Backyard Virtual ResCamp

by Claire Trainor

In these confusing and uncertain times, it is more important than ever that we be pointing our kids and their families to the truth of God’s love, provision, and faithfulness. Resurrection’s annual Summer ResCamp is our biggest outreach and one of the ways we most love to share the gospel and Christ with the families in our community, so we were heartbroken back in April to have to make the decision to cancel ResCamp this summer.

We were hesitant to try a virtual camp, because we were hearing from so many parents about how exhausted they were and their reluctancy to put their kids in front of another screen after so many months of virtual learning. But we also couldn’t imagine a summer without drawing our community of families together and inviting them to taste and see God’s faithfulness, especially in such a season as we are in right now. We prayed, planned, and then stepped out in faith to offer a 3-day virtual Bolt Backyard ResCamp, unsure of how God would use it.

What an amazing week!

We had 60+ families with 140+ kids participate. We were thrilled at how excited families were to have an opportunity to share the gospel with their kids in their own backyards through such a fun and hands-on way, and many even reached out to invite their neighbors to join them! From the socially-distanced Drive-by Event where families could come to pick up their camp supply kit and participate in a variety of fun outdoor camp-related activities, to our daily Zoom Hype meetings each morning during the camp week to kick off the camp day with the kids and have some fun together as a community before each family went off on their own to have their camp day, it really felt much more like a week of ResCamp than we ever imagined it could. Each camp day’s video included skits, games, teachings, scripture memory, and fun activities that taught the families that they can listen to, focus on, and follow Jesus no matter what circumstances they find themselves in.

God was so faithful to draw new families in, to bless the technological side of the program (this is all new to us!), and we heard story after story from families about how much God used it to bless their family and to give them opportunity to share the gospel with neighbors and friends! 

Claire Trainor is the ResKids Children’s Ministry Director at Church of the Resurrection, Lutherville, MD