By Alana Butler | Executive Director
Toby’s experience at Amnicon was priceless….
Dear Friend of Camp Amnicon:
When Toby came to Camp, he was cold and detached. He stood with his arms folded and his mouth closed during the opening campfire, refusing to participate.
His guide knew that something was wrong. During the star-lit walk back to camp, the guide hung back to ask: what’s wrong?
This young teenager was haunted by personal tragedy. He had witnessed death and conflict in his family… carried anger towards absent parents… and felt very alone in the world. He had few friends and no outlets for his grief, fear, and loneliness.
Frankly, he was ready to give up on life. This was a child on the margins.
But he insisted that he wanted to participate in this experience. Already he trusted his guides to help and care for him during his week at camp.
Toby thrived. As the group paddled from site to site on the Namekagon River, he began to connect. His guides watched with proud pleasure as Toby talked and laughed with his peers.
Toby was a large guy; during swim-time the younger kids would throng around to play with him. He was respected. He had something to offer. He was not an outsider here.
A week at Camp Amnicon did not change the circumstances of Toby’s life. He still went home to absent parents and a life of difficulty. He still struggles with pain and sadness.
The miracle of Toby’s camp experience was that, for one week he cast off the label of ‘troubled kid’ to laugh, learn, and experience the healing power of Christ in community.
That’s what he took home – the awareness that the Lord is always with him and that there are people who care about him and value him.
Yes, Toby’s experience was priceless… but it wasn’t cheap.
It cost about $700 for us to share this miracle with Toby. That’s the full cost of one week of camp for every child who attends. Some of the young people are able to pay the fee of $400. Others can pay only a portion of that fee. And youth like Toby cannot afford to pay anything.
That’s why your help is so vitally important. Fees charged do not cover the whole cost of camp.
For summer 2013, Camp Amnicon has pledged to bring 87 kids like Toby, and some of their families as well, to the shore of Lake Superior to experience the gifts God has for them in Christ.
And there will be another 331 kids who will not need full camperships but do rely on gifts to keep the fee within their reach.
Will you consider sharing a special gift today to help Toby and other young people experience the love of Christ at Camp Amnicon this summer?
Your gift of $700 will provide the entire cost of one child for one week… $400 will supply the fee of one child… and $300 will supply the difference between fee and cost for one child.
Be assured that whatever size gift you give – $25, $50, $100 or $1000 or more – your generosity will help each and every child who comes to camp.
In your giving you will find a priceless sense of satisfaction knowing you are bringing the love of God in Christ to children. Thank you.
Sincerely in Christ,
Alana Butler
Executive Director
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