Summer Fun at ABCHomes

The tans will fade, but the memories will last forever. At least this is the sentiment of one ABCHomes’ teen.

“We had so much fun this summer,” shared Sarah.* “It was awesome.”

Prior to returning to school in August, it was a busy and fun-filled summer for Sarah and a host residents of the Baptist Home for Children in Monticello and Boys Ranch near Harrison.

In June, younger residents at the Baptist Home attended Camp Tiak-O’Khata in Mississippi, while 17 older residents participated in Super Summer Arkansas 2011. Annually held at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Super Summer attracts thousands of teens for a week of Bible teaching sessions, wacky and fun recreation, small group time and worship. While at Super Summer, one student reported making a profession of faith in Christ.

Also in June, eight Baptist Home boys participated in a mission trip to Lawrence, Kan., where they ministered at the Indian Avenue Baptist Church and Haskell Indian Nations University. Projects included cleaning up dorm rooms and various maintenance tasks around the university campus.

In July several Boys Ranch residents attended youth and children’s camp at Siloam Springs Baptist Assembly. During the week long event, the boys participated in small group Bible studies and exciting worship times, enjoyed fun and wild recreational games and heard challenging messages.

A group of teens from the Boys Ranch and Baptist Home were among 100 high school students representing children’s homes in several states, taking part in a Youth Leadership Conference Aug. 8-12. The event was held at the Shepherd of the Ozarks (SOTO), a 300-acre Christian retreat center located in the heart of the Ozark Mountains near Harriett. Recreational activities were: horseback riding, cave climbing, swimming, canoeing, floating, volleyball, frisbee golf and the High Ropes Course and the Cliff Hanger Bungy Jump. A petting zoo was popular hangout for ABCHomes kids.

Other summer activities included camping trips, outings to Eureka Springs, Mo., and shopping in Little Rock.  * name changed for privacy reasons