The recent mass shooting at the nearby Tops Markets has escalated the need for a positive youth program in the area while the pandemic stalled the program for two years, halting funding and causing several key staff to no longer be available to help. After any community tragedy, children are often scared, confused, and looking for stability and comfort. Camp J.O.Y, seeks to provide that stability and comfort through faith-focused personal development for children.
Since its inception Camp J.O.Y. has played a significant role in the transformation of children with unproductive and unsupervised time - into children with real life experience and creative interactivity during and after Camp J.O.Y. The acronym for JOY is Jesus, Others, You.
The Camp J.O.Y, summer program encompasses a variety of structured activities that address the spiritual, educational, artistic, and physical aspects that reach and teach children and brings them JOY.
Camp J.O.Y, connects children with a faith community to build meaningful relationships, to know of Jesus and be gathered into His church as we plant seeds and nourish them along the way. The Camp J.O.Y, environment is the village away from home that is safe, enriching, and loving. Camp J.O.Y. activities are designed to give children a chance to unplug from technology to discover their creative powers and enhance their skills and abilities. Children ages 5 to 9 are engaged in a daily schedule of activities which includes nutritious breakfast and lunch Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm for six weeks: July 8-August 16.
Camp J.O.Y. experiences - big, small, amazing, and ordinary add up to six weeks of growth, learning, love, JOY, and a huge amount of "Fun in the Son". It is held at Our Savior Lutheran Church located at 26 Brunswick Blvd Buffalo, NY.
Camp J.O.Y. Weekly Sessions:
- Monday-July 8 - Friday-July 12, 2024 - 8:30am-4:30pm
- Monday-July 15 - Friday-July 19, 2024 - 8:30am-4:30pm
- Monday-July 22 - Friday-July 26, 2024 - 8:30am-4:30pm
- Monday-July 29 - Friday-August 2, 2024 - 8:30am-4:30pm
- Monday-August 5 - Friday-August 9, 2024 - 8:30am-4:30pm
- Monday-August 12 - Friday-August 16, 2024 - 8:30am-4:30pm
For information about donating to assist with this Ministry, please visit this website.