Camp C.U.M.O.

This week many teens from the ECY will be at camp C.U.M.O. (Cincinnati Urban Mission Outreach). For those of you who do not know, the camp is run in large part by ECY and the youth group from the Withamsville Church of Christ in Cincinnati. This is the third time that ECY will be going to camp C.U.M.O. and we are all excited for this opportunity to serve others.

C.U.M.O., is a unique camping experience, for our youth, is not really a vacation for the teens, it is a lot of hard work, and requires a ton of patience. This camp is not created for the teenagers, instead the teens are asked to be the counselors to a whole crew of inner-city elementary school children.

This week of camp is not a walk in the park; it is taxing mentally, emotionally and physically as we try to wrestle with keeping all those kids under control as well as trying to fulfill our mission of helping those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Many of the teens going have been before, and know the challenges that lay ahead, yet they know that their presence in the camper’s lives means something very real to the campers. For some campers, this is the only week where they will eat three meals a day, and many of them will be safer at camp going down the zip line, then they would be in their beds at home.

This week is very important to the campers, not only is it a safe place, where there are three meals a day (which they love!) but it is also a place where they can learn about God. It is surprising how little many of these children know about God and Christianity, but this camp is a place where they can learn how to follow God.

This week’s theme is “Crossover”, it emphasizes the change that takes place when one becomes a Christian and there are three main points. “From one coach to another” teaches the campers that Christians follow God. “From one team to another” encourages the campers to work together and not be divided by worldly things. Finally “One Attitude to Another” reminds the campers that a Christian has a different attitude then non-Christians.

This week will be taxing, but rewarding for all of the camp’s volunteers, please remember them in your prayers as they empty themselves for others for the glory of God.