Staff apps from former campers

"I am a living example of how the seeds God plants through this camp can blossom into a fully developed faith and impact the rest of a child's life in a very positive way, even if they don't appear to be receptive."

"I want to give to those kids the same opportunity I had as a camper - to know God as their one and only savior. I know some of these campers do not come from stable and loving families, and I want them to be able to come every day and feel like someone loves them and truly cares about them."

Growing Closer

We've been feeling our way through volunteer youth ministry for a few years now... I can't says as though we have a ton of amazing stories, but lately the genuine connection with the few kids we have has been good.

Praying that the relationships and biblical teaching can help point kids to Jesus.

Running into past staff

Last week I ran into a former staff member that I thought had moved out of state.  As we had a 30-second conversation between our open car windows he sounded interested in meeting.

I don't know where he's at spiritually but I'm glad for the connection of camp and hope to meet up with him soon!

Building Use

Last week our Pekin building was used for:

YFC Campus life
Staff Breakfast
Cadre Ministries Leadership workshop
Girls' Night

4 events, 2 ours, 2 others..

We built this thing to be used.. glad it could happen and hope it can continue to happen

Christians are cool

Former camper parent:

Camp of Champions was the first place my son ever went where he realized that Christians could be cool.

Disciple-making

So encouraging to see a Site Director meet with two JCs from the summer.

Looking forward to hearing how God uses it!

Why staff raise for bowl a thon

I recently sent a few questions to some of our summer staff who made a jump in what they raised for bowl-a-thon from 2011 to 2012.  I loved their answers to the question "Why did you do a better job this year than last year?"

I tried harder because I knew from the previous year how much of a positive effect COCUSA had on the kids' lives. After working one summer, I cared so much more for the kids and wanted more to be able to come to camp and hear the Bible stories and the gospel so that they could know Christ.

Because after having more experience at camp and getting to know the kids even better I realized how much each one needs to be there for different reasons and how important bowlathon is.

I got to see God do so many awesome things last summer and it made me want to raise more money. I also came into contact with a camper's parent at my other job during the summer and she told me how thankful she is of camp giving her a scholarship for her child to come every week. 

After spending more time with the kids the rest of last summer I realized I wanted to do a better job raising money to send them to camp. -Tori Going into camp this summer I already knew a lot more about camp than I did last year. I had built relationships with campers last summer (2011). I had stories to share and I had more of a passion for the ministry of camp, having seen over last summer (2011) the great effects of camp on the campers.

My desire to raise more came from two things. The first being the changed lives I saw in the precious summer I worked at cocusa and the second being my general love of cocusa's ministry and a desire to see growth by multiplying the number of children attending.