How can I get the Touchdown Camp program in my city?
The camp is the tip of much community effort and organization with starts with one or two people really wanting it to happen. There needs to be a core group that will plan and pray for camp sometimes for several years. There needs to be a church covering where you will meet. The group needs to be composed of people from different church backgrounds so the core really does represent the community.
How does Touchdown Camp differ from Vacation Bible programs?
Touchdown Camps are unique in that they reach out primarily to unchurched children and families. The program includes a wide variety of activities that are friendly for these children. Sports. Crafts. Drama. Games. etc. (see video)
The program goes all day–not half a day– to serve the needs of working people. The Bible is taught and is vital but everything is “beginner level” not assuming that any of the stories have been heard before.
Who runs the camp?
The camp will have a director and also a co-director plus many other community volunteers. Teens from the church where camp is held learn mission and are most helpful.
How are camps funded?
The church does not pay anything. Camps are funded through the Project Lost Sheep local “core” group that meets throughout the year and tells others about the camp. A brunch may be held in someone’s home or in a restaurant to talk about the work. We do not do fund raising and we do not get support from churches…so we are really grass roots, community based.
How do children find out about camp?
There needs to be someone who teaches or has contacts inside schools in order for invitations to be given to the poorest families. We always try to reach the most needy of the unchurched. We favor single mom families, children with someone in jail, etc.
Why is camp important?
We see that children who attend camp can have a deep change in their hearts and that they then want to come into the local church. Isolated families then have a network of help and support they didn’t have before in facing problems. Camp can change the face of hopelessness in an area to a place of hope and dreams. We see children who never knew they could go to college start to dream of careers. This is the one week in summer that stands out in their minds as different. The rest of the time they are in school or locked in small apartments. Children can be children and play and explore at camp with plenty of adult supervision in a safe environment.
How can I donate money?
Please send checks to:
Project Lost Sheep
Box 2735
Menlo Park, CA. 94026
Your contributions are tax deductible and will enable more camps to happen.
You may also donate stocks. Contact John Mathews: 650-463-4504.