It is been another quiet summer for Crosstalk Ministries Day Camps since this is the second year, with no applications received from churches or communities wishing to host our programs.
Over the past winter and spring the Day Camp planning committee and I put in long hours developing three different program models, which we hoped and prayed could be adapted and used, despite lockdowns and restrictions.
A “normal” summer has, for many years, meant between 25 and 30 Day Camps running in 5-6 provinces over a 6-week period from the end of June to early August. After the total lockdowns of summer 2020 we decided for 2021 to put a lot of effort into a virtual experience, the concept being that a church or community would purchase the package and that families who registered would then receive a secure link to a Google Drive package that included PowerPoints of songs, puppet videos and quizzes along with other documents filled with instructions for multiple games, crafts and liturgical dance, all geared to a backyard or indoor family style venue.
We also honed 2 versions of our in-person package for churches or communities who might be able to mount a small Day Camp on site We upgraded the Program Manual and Community planner, and even offered a version that included the services of an online mentor who would join the local community during daily planning meetings and offer troubleshooting via text message throughout the Day Camp week. But, although there were a few enquiries in the lead up to summer, there were no applications.
Meanwhile our planning committee has forged ahead. We continue meeting monthly and consider ways to provide effective children’s ministry in addition to our Day Camp programs.
Last spring, during Lent we offered our first Cook-Along series: – 3 Day Camp Alumnae “chefs” shared Lenten recipes from their own cultural heritages and day campers and their families from across Canada joined in for cooking lessons via Google Meet. This autumn we are offering “Season Two”, which will be a 3-part series based around Thanksgiving recipe traditions.
Later in the autumn we will be launching an E-Book on the subject of All Ages Gatherings. This book includes outlines for innovative liturgies reflecting key feasts and festivals of the Church year and will be of help to Children’s Ministry leaders looking for new ideas as communities open up and begin to gather in person. As part of the Day Camp programs we have always included a Follow-up Brochure with suggestions for these sort of initiatives, now we are fleshing out the ideas and providing detailed instructions for implementing informal all age community worship times.
In Advent we will once again be presenting “Carols & Cocoa” an online Carol-sing which last year saw close to 50 friends of Day Camps from coast to coast join together. Circle your Calendars for Saturday December 11th and watch for more details on the CTM website: www.crosstalkministries.ca and FaceBook Page: – www.facebook.com/Crosstalk-Ministries-Canada
We have not forgotten the large community of Day Camp Team Alumnae, spanning 40 years of ministry. During the pandemic Alums have come together online for Advent and Lenten programs plus a Day Retreat and a Virtual Team Gathering. All of these activities have received positive feedback and plans are underway for similar ventures, moving forward. As a result of COVID the increased use of different online platforms has opened up opportunities to build stronger ties with those who live across Canada and even in other countries and has brought blessings in the midst of a global crisis.
As a small charity CTM relies on the proceeds from our Camps along with donations from individuals and churches. With very little revenue since 2019, the situation is becoming quite bleak. We fervently hope that many communities will be in a position to host Day Camps in 2022 but meanwhile we are looking to those who care about this ministry to offer support, as you are able. We deeply value both prayers and donations while recognising that many churches and individuals are suffering financially after the months of lockdowns and restrictions.
Donations can be made via E- Transfer to [email protected] Please indicate that your gift is for Day Camps. To donate via Canada Helps or PayPal; links for both these platforms are on the CTM website.
