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A New Summer Camp Week for Families
Karis Family Camps provide families with opportunities for new experiences. New friendships form around shared meals and campfires. New connections grow between families who understand one another’s experiences caring for a loved one with disabilities. Guests try things they never imagined themselves doing—like jumping off rocks into a lake, waterskiing, sharing songs and fun dances during Family Sharing Night, or simply stepping into a space where they can be fully themselves and don’t have to explain their differences.
This summer marked the beginning of a new partnership between Karis Disability Services and Joy Bible Camp—an expansion made possible by donors who wanted to see Family Camp help more families experiencing disability. Joy Bible Camp has been hosting families on beautiful Lake Faraday for nearly 80 years. With activities during the day and a wonderful staff team, Karis families were invited to participate in everything Joy had to offer.
Before camp even began, Joy staff joined Karis’ volunteer training to learn how to better support guests with disabilities. Their willingness to listen and learn helped create an environment where families felt understood, valued, and included. Throughout the week, volunteers put that learning into action. They built sandcastles and encouraged campers to try the waterslide. They danced and sang during chapel services and campfires, making it an unforgettable week for families.
For Marco and Mercedez, camp provided a gift they hadn’t experienced in 14 years: a date night, made possible by Caregivers’ Night Out. While their five children, Domenic, Xavier, Scofield, Carla, and Amelia, were cared for by trained and loving volunteers, they were able to be together for a few hours over dinner and simply enjoy time as a couple. Their youngest child, Amelia, who is a year and a half old, has never spent time away from Mercedez.“That time for just us felt unreal,” shared Mercedez. “I didn’t think we were going to make it and I’m so glad that everybody encouraged us and reassured us that it was going to be okay. I feel so good."
Fifty-one weeks of the year, many of these families are navigating appointments, advocacy, caregiving responsibilities, and under-resourced disability supports. Karis Family Camp offers a new experience: a chance to breathe, rest, connect, and belong. “When the kids are having a bad day, we play the slideshow [of pictures from camp] and it calms them, and they love seeing their pictures and remembering what a fun time it was,” Mercedez said
As camp ended, several people shared, “I wish we could bottle up this feeling.” What they were describing was a community where people are known, welcomed, valued, and loved – by God and others. We’re grateful that His grace and loving-kindness are evident through the support of volunteers, staff, and donors.
Partners in Belonging are the financial engine backing this work with donations and prayers too. Thank you for helping create communities where everybody belongs.