Most of us think of summer as the time for slowing down and taking a midday nap, not so much participating in water balloon fights or pool noodle jousting. Welcome to 4th+5th Grade Camp at The Grove at Red Oak Lake—just a hop, skip, and jump away from Bellevue’s campus—where these activities are normal.
Despite the hot temperatures, 4th and 5th graders didn’t shy away from participating in all that camp had to offer. Whether it was plunging down a waterslide or completing an obstacle course, the preteens did nothing halfway. They screamed at the top of their lungs, danced like no one was watching, and sang out with open hearts. 4th+5th Grade Camp was many students’ first summer camp or first time away from home, and for some, it was their first time experiencing God. For Ministerial Assistant and camp leader Jasmine Trotter, it was her first inside look at summer camp and how much it can impact kids’ lives.
“I didn’t grow up in church, so I didn’t experience anything like 4th+5th Grade Camp when I was a child,” Jasmine said. “Throughout the week I saw the same Holy Spirit that was within Paul and Peter live and breathe within those kids.”
Jasmine watched in amazement as God opened the preteens’ eyes to more of who He is and the plans He has for them.
“One of my preteens said what he took away from the week was the fact that the Lord is omnipresent, that He is always here,” Jasmine said. “We had some kids called to missions for the first time too, and that speaks to the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Throughout the week Jasmine hoped to leave a lasting impression on the preteens. 4th and 5th grade are critical years as preteens develop emotionally and mentally. Jasmine wanted to plant seeds so that they could continue to be rooted in Christ.
“This is a really key age for establishing good habits and beliefs, and they are starting to ask questions about the world around them,” Jasmine said. “I have seen how God can use such a transitional time in preteens’ lives so that they are prepared to be bold believers at school and not fall into peer pressure from their classmates.”
Although camp is such a short period of time, the impact it made will last much longer. Leaders saw how the campers had different light bulb moments as they began to understand more about the good news of the Gospel. Two preteens even made the most important decision of their life and gave their hearts to Christ.
After four days of growing in fellowship and building healthy habits rooted in the Lord, the preteens returned home refreshed and refueled, ready to pave the way of faith for their generation.
Learn more about how Bellevue is discipling the next generation in their faith at bellevue.org/next-gen.