“A week at church camp is the equivalent to nine months of Sunday school,” said Pastor Kori Lehrkamp, Highmore, Harrold and Blunt UMC.

Highmore, Harrold and Blunt United Methodist Churches in South Dakota started dreaming big about what God might want to be doing in and among the churches to inspire youth and families about Jesus. People began to dream a God-sized dream of sending 20 kids from this tiny little parish to camp - fully funded. Photo: Youth are into a campfire sing-along at one of the Dakotas Camps in 2015.

“We asked each child to pay the deposit of $30 so that there was some investment on their part, but we said that we the church would pay the rest, and to do that we would need around $6,000,” described Pastor Lehrkamp.

The churches held the initial sign-up for camp, hoping that 20 kids would accept their offer.

“Of course God knew better than I did. When we hit the 30 mark, I just kept praying.-- OK God we are up to 30,” said Lehrkamp,  “I was dreaming big at 20, now you have to provide!”

Lehrkamp and church members turned to the words from Mark Batterson's book The Circle Maker. “Work like it depends on you. Pray like it depends on God.”

“I knew that God was going to make it happen,” said Pastor Kori.

At the fundraiser Rev. Lehrkamp signed up four more kids for camp.  “When we counted the proceeds from the event, all I could do was smile.”

Over 30 kids headed to camp in 2015.  The churches raised nearly $9,000 in a few weeks to help pay the fees for the campers. God is working in mighty and significant ways at Highmore, Harrold and Blunt United Methodist Churches.

In 2016 the God challenged these small churches, with a total average worship attendance of just under 100 to raise money, to send 40 kids to camp. They would need over $12,000. Through fundrasiers and prayers the challenge was met by rasing $14,000.

 “Through our kids and youth in our parish and about the Dakotas conference, the Spirit is moving! Hang on, its about to be one heck of a ride,” exclaimed Pastor Kori.

There’s still plenty of time to JUMP IN to YOUR time at camp this summer!

Experience Christ, Creation, and Community with your Dakotas United Methodist Camps!

Camp Scholarships!  Is the price of camp stretching your budget?  Please don’t let this stop you from signing up!  Your Dakotas camping program would love to help and has funds set aside to ensure everyone can attend camp in 2016.

Click here to sign up today! 

P.O. Box 460, Mitchell, SD 57301-0469, 605-996-6552  www.dakcamps.org

S'mores and Spirit from Dakotas UMC on Vimeo.