11/30/07

Camp Horizon Teaches Self-Worth

“I have a dream...” These words spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. find expression in the lives of young children who have attended Camp Horizon.

(Left to right) Pete Peterson, Beth Thrutchley, and Jeff Thrutchley attend a fall outing.

In 1982, when child abuse was a hush-hush topic, Pete Peterson and several other members of the RLDS congregation in Tucker, Georgia, decided to help tackle this issue by starting Camp Horizon. Work with Camp Opportunity, being done in Greenville, South Carolina, set the stage to help strengthen the lives of children suffering abuse and neglect. These children had been literally cast aside. Working closely with the Department of Family and Children Services in the Greater Atlanta area, 23 children ages eight to eleven were immersed in a unique and life-impacting atmosphere. For the last 25 years, Camp Horizon has grown with the help of Saints (and others) throughout Georgia and as far away as Missouri and Idaho. More than 600 children have been helped since Camp Horizon began.

Central to our week-long, overnight summer camp program is supporting, mentoring, and encouraging these youngsters. While we have to maintain a “separation of church and state,” as Beth Fears Thrutchley (our “camp mom” for 25 years) puts it, “Seeing Christ’s love being shared with these children is one of the closest times I spend with God.”

The worth of souls—a core value—is reinforced by the spirit of love and respect for each other. It is captured in morning classes as each day addresses a special aspect of self esteem:

Monday: I am unique. (I can love myself for who I am.)
Tuesday: Feelings Are (Understanding our feelings is important to understanding ourselves.)
Wednesday: Conflict Resolution (How do I handle my feelings?)
Thursday: Personal Safety (Good touch–bad touch and asking for/finding help)
Friday: Affirmations (One at a time, each person tells positive characteristics they have seen in the others.)

Perhaps the most unique part of camp is the one-to-one camper/counselor ratio. For an entire week, children who have been taken from or abandoned by their own families can bond with an adult who focuses on them 24/7, affirming, encouraging, spending time together, and providing appropriate affection and discipline. The Christian value of the worth of all souls is certainly paramount in the dream of those who diligently plan and implement these programs.

Shannon Hines shares a hug with another Camp Horizon volunteer.

The Camp Horizon slogan “A new day, a better day is on the horizon” embodies the promise that Jesus gave us to “have life and have it more abundantly.” These are the “bruised and brokenhearted” entrusted to us in this time and place. We feel privileged to live out our discipleship witnessing of the transforming power of God’s love.

The success of Camp Horizon is reflected in the lives of scores of children who have attended summer camp and quarterly outings and especially those who continue with the Leadership Development program (for campers ages 12–18). Shannon, a former camper, now 21 years old, is one of our success stories. Shannon was in state custody by the age of six and first came to camp as an eight-year-old. She has returned as a counselor for the last three years. Her sensitivity to the issues of abuse empowers her to be a unique ambassador for our programs, mission, and vision. As Shannon puts it, “Camp Horizon is my family.”

We measure our success not by leaps and bounds, but by deliberate steps. Following in the footsteps of the One who travels with us on our journey, we echo Jesus’ words, “Let the little children come to me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” We walk arm in arm; we work side by side; and at the conclusion of each day at camp, we symbolize being “one in the Spirit” by standing hand in hand around the campfire to sing “Dona Nobis Pacem” (“Grant Us Peace”).

The dream of Camp Horizon is a reality. As our dream evolves, we encourage others to embrace and empower their dreams to continue “being in the forefront” in the world around us.

Find out more about us and how you can help at www.camphorizon.net.

—Jeff Thrutchley and Pete Peterson reporting