Join The Magic and Ministry of First U Summer Camp!

Dear First Universalist Church,

Since the very first day I returned from parental leave in March, Assistant Director Hirut Hedge and I have been preparing for our annual First Universalist Church Summer Camp. 

We have launched registration. We have purchased supplies. We have confirmed volunteers. We have connected with families. We have prepared materials. We have snacks – we have SO many snacks!

And now, we prepare to welcome over 50 campers to our congregation on Monday morning to begin a full week of camp activities. Through play, song, building projects, games, mural creation, dance parties, and more, kids from 1st through 8th grades will dive deeper into our Unitarian Universalist Shared Values and community life. 

You might not know it, but our summer camp is a primary avenue through which local families connect to our congregation. Every year we welcome campers who are brand new to our community, coming through our doors for the first time to join our camp with a neighbor or friend. I find that these newcomers experience a sense of belonging, welcome, acceptance, and joy at camp – so emblematic of our congregation as a whole. They often return to our programming throughout the year, bringing their parents and caregivers, siblings, and new friends of their own. In this way, camp grows our entire community, and brings our values alive in the world. 

Just as camp touches our entire congregation, we need our entire congregation to touch camp! Stick around on Sunday after worship to help us set up our camp spaces and materials so we can welcome campers bright and early on Monday. Or, join us during the day at camp next week to help staff keep everything organized and running smoothly. If you are able to lend a hand before or during camp, please email me at allison@firstuniv.org, or find me in the Atrium on Sunday morning. 

Summer Camp at First Universalist is one of the ministries we hold together as a congregation. We hear, over and over again, how much our intergenerational ministry of care and community matters—yes to our kids and youth, and to the grownups who find that serving as trusted adults alongside our staff is deeply meaningful and joyful. I hope that if your schedule and capacity allow, you’ll show up next week and be a part of making Summer Camp a special place for our kids and youth. 

With care,

Allison