Bible camp wins children's hearts

Our Lady of the Angels Parish focused on a daily theme and lesson about God

- WCR photo by Bill Glen Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Fort Saskatchewan's first Bible camp scored top grades with the happy campers.

By BILL GLEN
WCR Staff Writer
Fort Saskatchewan

Anna Corrigan helped plant a seed, and in just a few weeks, that idea sprouted into 25 smiling faces.

Corrigan and a few other women at Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Fort Saskatchewan decided to run a children's summer Bible camp at the church July 10-14. In their wildest dreams they thought if 25 children registered, they would be successful.

That is exactly the number of four to eight-year-olds who showed up at the church every morning.

"There were a number of churches in town who were running a camp and we thought we could do it too," said Corrigan. "The idea had been batted around for a few years. We decided to just go ahead and try. The response was met with a lot of excitement."

The parish council was gung ho and when the idea was brought to of Our Lady of the Angels pastor Father John Reddy, he gave them his blessing.

"I believe the children need the exposure to the concepts of God and community," said Reddy.

"It is important for them to participate and to realize this is good for them. With the lessons and the pictures they drew, they will gradually see the connection with what is presented in churches."

Called to be saints

Each day had a theme and lesson to celebrate God's gifts. The children were shown how they are royal sons and daughters of God called to be saints.

There was Fully Relying On God (FROG) day where the kids made clay pots with frogs on them.

They coloured stained glass window drawings to forever connect them to God and the saints typically adorned in churches and cathedral windows.

"We could barely keep up with our own schedule," Corrigan said. "Every day the children sang songs and did crafts. They made pi¤atas and decorated T-shirts. We had puppet shows.

"It's been a lot of fun."

Corrigan said some of the children who attended the first day were reluctant. They told her that they had other events later in the week so they might not be able to complete the camp.

Change of plans

"After the first day, they were telling their mothers they wanted to come for all of the days. Another family was supposed to go camping and they changed their plans," she said.

Although she had just been hired at a local coffee shop, 16-year-old Karianne Demilliano adjusted her work schedule to continue volunteering at the Bible camp.

"I love working with kids. I wanted to make a difference and to help them have some fun during their summer."

Demilliano spent part of the last year as a student teacher of children's liturgy with the parish.

"The kids loved being here every morning. They learned about their faith. It's all good."

Corrigan is already looking forward to next year.

"There was an amazing team of dedicated volunteers this year. The kids loved it. We hope to expand a little bit next year and perhaps do a couple of age groups."

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