SUMMERFUN

BORED. ABCHomes teens were not that this summer.

Prior to returning to school in August, it was a busy and fun-filled summer for residents of the Baptist Home for Children, Promise House in Little Rock, the Boys Ranch near Harrison and three emergency receiving shelters.

In June, 20 residents of the Baptist Home for Children in Monticello participated in Super Summer Arkansas 2010. Also attending was one Promise House resident.

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. Super Summer, a ministry of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, strives to challenge students to connect with Christ and impact the culture they live in.

A hit among Super Summer teens was the daily “Rec” time. Despite the sweltering and humid heat, the teens said they daily looked forward to the afternoon of wacky, and usually wet, games and challenges.

“I had so much fun,” said Monticello Home Resident *Sarah of Super Summer, as she trekked back to her dorm room, soaking wet. “Some of these games are wild.”
Sarah said she felt blessed taking part in the youth event. “It was great meeting new Christian friends and spending time with the Lord.”
Also in June, 31 boys from the Boys Ranch 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 by Kevin Kirkland, a former youth minister from San Angelo, Texas.

While at Siloam, three Ranch residents reported making a profession of faith in Christ.

A group of teens from the Boys Ranch and Baptist Home were among 150 high school students representing children’s homes in six states,  taking part in a Youth Leadership Conference Aug. 9-13.

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.
Camp events included motivating messages and worship times led by Settled, a Texas high school band named by the campers. Recreational activities were: horseback riding, cave climbing, swimming, canoeing, floating, volleyball, frisbee golf and the High Ropes Course and the Cliff Hanger Bungy Jump.

Attempting to “give back” to the SOTO staff,  campers took part in various work projects during the week. Boys Ranch residents split and stacked wood, while the Monticello group cleaned, vacuumed and straightened up around the conference center.
“It was an amazing week at SOTO,” said *Kyle. “I wish it would last longer.”

Calling the week, a fun but tiring time, *Kara, said, “I had a blast and the band Settled was awesome. I loved it.”
A group of teens and children from the Judsonia Shelter camped and fished at Greers Ferry Lake near Heber Springs. Other summer activities included camping trips in Arkansas and Colorado, outings to Branson, Mo., and shopping in Little Rock.
(*names changed for privacy)