After two COVID-summers without Community Roots, we are finally ready to get back at it this summer.
We don’t know exactly what this summer might look like, but we’re ready to support folks’ parishes throughout the diocese to offer meaningful programming – whether that looks like virtual day camps, outdoors only, or something that looks like Community Roots Day Camps used to.
The way this program works is that a diocesan staff team prepares a camp program and delivers it in collaboration with a team of parish volunteers. Applications for parishes who would like to participate this summer will be coming soon, so here are four reasons for your parish to think about signing up for this summer:
IT’S A GREAT WAY TO RE–START OR RE–ENERGIZE MINISTRY THAT MAY HAVE WANED THROUGH THE PANDEMIC
Keeping ministry going through this pandemic, especially ministry for children, has not been easy. In many places things have been put on pause or have been slowed down. Collaborating with Community Roots this summer is a great way to breathe a little bit of new life into your children’s ministry as we look forward to a fall with a bit more stability.
IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT A WEEK OF CAMP, BUT ABOUT EQUIPPING VOLUNTEERS FOR MINISTRY BEYOND THE SUMMER
Part of preparation for Community Roots involves in person and online training for parish volunteers. This training helps local ministry leaders prepare to help lead day camp, but the skills and knowledge that folks need for a day camp are also helpful for running a Sunday school, a family drop in, a kids club, or whatever children’s or family ministry might look like beyond just one week in the summer.
WE’RE COMMITTED TO MAKING THIS PROGRAM HAPPEN WITHIN WHATEVER RESTRICTIONS EXIST THIS SUMMER
Uncertainty throughout this pandemic has been challenging. We are committed to making something happen with each parish that commits to being part of this program. Of course, we hope to run in person decamps that will look a lot like Community Roots looked pre-COVID, but we are prepared to do an entirely outdoor program or a virtual program or whatever we need to make sure we are able to offer something!
IT’S SO MUCH FUN!
Spending a week in the summer hanging out with kids, playing games, creating art, doing science experiments, and getting to know God in a new way can be a whole lot of fun!
If you’d like to be among the first to know when applications for parishes to participate go live, email Allie at: [email protected]
