The Hills are alive with echoes of birds chirping childrens laughter and water rustling throughout the grounds of Charis Hills Camp. Summer camp is in full swing much like other camps around the state. However the founding mission of this camp is significantly different: to provide a Christ-centered environment to children with learning and attention challenges.
The Staff at Charis Hills Camp makes this their ministry calling bringing dedication training and experience to the children fortunate enough to be campers here. Yet the very essence of this ministry is not heard outside of the core recipients staff and big-hearted volunteers. Charis Hills Camps ministry is the best-kept secret of summer camps but its a story that needs to be told beyond the core!
I am on the board of directors for Charis Hills Camp; through a fantastic series of events we ended up purchasing 93 acres in rural Montague County. Charis Hills Camp is located 15 miles north of Decatur 10 South of Bowie and about 30 miles west from Denton. In January of this year we began construction on the camp and by the Hand of God; we had the first session end on June 13th 2009. My daughter Elizabeth is activity director for the summer allowing me close ties to many of the children. We have also come to know many of the children and the families who are affected by Charis Hills.
It is a remarkable place. Earlier in June there was a 13-year old girl whose mother said Dont expect too much from her; Jane (not her real name) is very low functioning. Her startled mother watched Jane sing a solo to a packed dining hall dance in a complicated dance ensemble and generally act like a kid having fun! We heard autistic children give devotions based on their Psalm 100 memory verses and watched a young 19-year old E.M.T. who is a counselor from Oklahoma Baptist University break down in tears recalling his recent conversion and baptism service during his training week at camp.
The bottom line there is a huge gap and need for supporting both the children and families with children of learning and attention challenges. The word needs to spread out to people who may know people who would benefit from Charis Hills Camp. Most of the kids who come to Charis Hills cant go to camp anywhere else. The divorce rate for families with autistic children is about double the national average. .
If you know pastors school teachers counselors or parents who could refer children I promise you they will thank you for the referral.
Charis is Greek for grace & acceptance we could all benefit from a little bit of Charis!
David Vinyard is a Board Member of Charis Hills and President of BRISCOE HALL; an advertising agency based in Kerrville
The Hills are alive with echoes of birds chirping childrens laughter and water rustling throughout the grounds of Charis Hills Camp. Summer camp is in full swing much like other camps around the state. However the founding mission of this camp is significantly different: to provide a Christ-centered environment to children with learning and attention challenges.
The Staff at Charis Hills Camp makes this their ministry calling bringing dedication training and experience to the children fortunate enough to be campers here. Yet the very essence of this ministry is not heard outside of the core recipients staff and big-hearted volunteers. Charis Hills Camps ministry is the best-kept secret of summer camps but its a story that needs to be told beyond the core!
I am on the board of directors for Charis Hills Camp; through a fantastic series of events we ended up purchasing 93 acres in rural Montague County. Charis Hills Camp is located 15 miles north of Decatur 10 South of Bowie and about 30 miles west from Denton. In January of this year we began construction on the camp and by the Hand of God; we had the first session end on June 13th 2009. My daughter Elizabeth is activity director for the summer allowing me close ties to many of the children. We have also come to know many of the children and the families who are affected by Charis Hills.
It is a remarkable place. Earlier in June there was a 13-year old girl whose mother said Dont expect too much from her; Jane (not her real name) is very low functioning. Her startled mother watched Jane sing a solo to a packed dining hall dance in a complicated dance ensemble and generally act like a kid having fun! We heard autistic children give devotions based on their Psalm 100 memory verses and watched a young 19-year old E.M.T. who is a counselor from Oklahoma Baptist University break down in tears recalling his recent conversion and baptism service during his training week at camp.
The bottom line there is a huge gap and need for supporting both the children and families with children of learning and attention challenges. The word needs to spread out to people who may know people who would benefit from Charis Hills Camp. Most of the kids who come to Charis Hills cant go to camp anywhere else. The divorce rate for families with autistic children is about double the national average. .
If you know pastors school teachers counselors or parents who could refer children I promise you they will thank you for the referral.
Charis is Greek for grace & acceptance we could all benefit from a little bit of Charis!
David Vinyard is a Board Member of Charis Hills and President of BRISCOE HALL; an advertising agency based in Kerrville
