Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly summer camp director and counselors packed up and headed to Camp Thicket, Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco, Texas, for the first-ever Camp in the Valley from July 24-30.
Mo-Ranch counselors and 36 young men and women, sixth to 12th grade, spent the week swimming, learning archery, completing a low ropes course, playing team games, creating arts and crafts, making s’mores, hanging around a campfire and performing silly skits! Bible study and worship also were daily activities during this Christian summer camp experience.
Each of the 36 participants of Camp in the Valley took a moment toward the end of the week to write down what they liked most about camp, and three of the most popular responses were:
- Campers liked getting to meet new people and making new friends.
- Campers enjoyed creating works of art.
- Campers enjoyed getting to meet, know and hang out with the Mo-Ranch counselors.
Lita Simpson, youth and young adult ministry director at Mission Presbytery, attended Camp in the Valley and shared her impressions about the experience.
“Shasha McCracken, Mo-Ranch summer camp director, did a wonderful job. She called homes on the first day of those who were registered but had not shown up to be sure they were not lost or had changed their minds. She was extremely well organized, and was very open and welcoming to all—especially parents who were nervous about leaving their children.”
Simpson also said the counselors were very present and interactive with campers, the cooks were timely, helpful, calm and pleasant and the campers were happy and healthy!
