A Glance Back

14 years ago the first Touchdown Camp was opened in Redwood City, CA. Patty Cardona with the support of Project Lost Sheep opened it it for two weeks. The contents of program I had worked on for months putting all that would appeal to children with no means. Sports, food and more food, crafts, etc.

We had about 40 children and teen helpers. We thought we could have half the camp do sports and the other half do crafts, but the children wanted both so we did a bit of scrambling to get the children what they wanted.

Patty started the drama story that is so popular today. There were props. At one point someone had to catch a falling tree prop. We all worked very long hours and we decided that the next camp would last one week the hard work before camp is again in process.

Patty and team will need to instruct new teen staff as so many have left California. We have learned to prepare the best we can and do all we can to make this week shine for the kids. Pastor Cardona will again be up as he knows the importance of a good model. Each time we who serve receive so much blessing for being there for the kids. We may grow weary but the seeds planted this year for good will be seen in the teenagers in just a few years.

So "do not grow weary in well doing for in due time you will reap."

Come join us in seed planting! August 6-10

Hi Joyce,

For me the big take away this year -- well, for my 2 days at camp -- is encapsulated in the attached picture. The person you see w/ Orlando is Edgar, whose nickname is Bonbon.

Two years ago, when I volunteered last at camp, Bonbon was the #1 trouble maker in the "old kids" group. I remember bc a # of times I had to discipline him -- or try to discipline him. There are some children who clearly enjoy camp and others who just seem to be there bc they have nothing better to do. With this latter group I often wondered if anything sinks in.

Jim, left. Bonbon, middle. Fabi, right.

I received my answer to this question on Tuesday as Bonbon signed in to volunteer. My jaw hit the floor when I saw him; i asked Fabi "Isn't that Bonbon? He was the #1 trouble-maker two years ago. I never thought I'd see him again. HE is volunteering?"

Fabi explained how he promised to behave. It wasn't that I didn't think he'd behave but I was flabbergasted by the fact that Bonbon, someone who just seemed to attend camp bc he had nothing better to do, now is a volunteer. His parents don't belong to Verbo the interest in volunteering is 100% due to the impact that TD camp had on him.

Just as Jesus did "... not come to call the righteous, but sinners” I don't judge a camp by how the "good" kids are impacted but I focus on how camp impacts those "less than good." There may never be a better testament, in my eyes, to how camp impacts children than Bonbon volunteering.

Regards,

Jim

Camp Help Kids Grow

Last week I got a phone call from a teenager I didn't know who wanted to volunteer at our upcoming Touchdown Camp the week of August 7.

"Camp helped me when I was a kid and my brother as well, camp strengthened my faith. I want to volunteer all week at camp and my brother, too." 

Now this was music to my ears!

Patty Cardova, President of Project Lost Sheep and Pastor's wife of Verbo Church
with 2 boys at camp

Seeds planted long ago in these boys became a heart to give back into camp.

When I think of the hundreds and hundreds of teenagers and young adults who have touchdown potential to give back, I am in a state of awe at what God is doing.

Changed lives of children become teenagers who want to give back become young adults with dreams of careers. Their families will be different because of what was given when they were children.

Strong plants are resistant to disease.

Strong young adults have inner strength to give because they have received love at the base and have a firm foundation in truth. Rejoicing that this is just the start of what God wants to happen in cities across America.

Planning for next year's Camp

Camp for the kids is my passion. I can't help but also think of next year's camp during this holiday season.

All the bits and pieces to make camp happen came together including a tamale all day project at Verbo, Redwood City, that went towards Camp. 140 children plus 60 volunteers had a joy filled week of challenge and change. Teens who gave their time grew spiritually.

Touchdown Camp programs are being duplicated. We expect a camp in Madrid, Spain Verbo church. Another camp is in San Antonio, Texas. Patty Cardona is being asked to speak in Miami, Florida about children's program.

Growth is wonderful. It also costs money. Camp 13 will happen again in 2017. We are somewhat like a teenager. We are growing, needing new donors and volunteers. We are again asking for the generosity of people who read this to chip in whatever you can. We have no office or salaries. We all are volunteers and cheerful Givers.

When you get behind us with a small push, you join a moving ball that is bouncing all over to make a difference for children.

Doris Says

I love Touchdown Camp because it is a wonderful way to give children, who might not get to go to camp, a camping experience. It provides a safe and fun atmosphere for children to play sports, arts and crafts, bake, dance, sing and goof around. But most of all I love camp because the gospel is presented in many ways, children get to know Jesus. Did I mention the food and water ballons? AWESOME!

The Camp Came About In This Way.

More than 10 years ago I had the desire and name for the camp: Touchdown Camp. Then, I put it aside. We as a small non-profit were not in a position to fund such a camp. I had met Patty Cardona, now president of our group, and saw how she loved and served the children.

She and I had a heart to do more but our pockets weren't exactly full. And then, one day, a friend of mine, Doris Bates came to me with a question. What would you do if you had more funds?

Without even thinking I said "Open a Touchdown Camp for the children." Doris smiled and then told me she had been collecting 100's on her "adventure with God" which started out with her pastor, John Ortberg, giving out $100 in church to a number of people who wanted to invest it in missions work. Doris idea before she even left church was to ask her friends to match her money for God.

When I told Patty we started to dream and plan. I also really tried to put into camp activities that would appeal to unchurched children. We would have food. Lots of good food. We would have sports. We would have games.

My son suggested a "Stay in School" Speaker series. Each day someone came to motivate them with ideas: a nurse, a policeman, etc. Crafts turned out to be so popular that everyone did them. Patty added the dramatization of the missionary story. Camp started because God wanted to be kind to lots of children.

We are about to have camp #9 this summer in Redwood City. I don't think Patty and I every could have imagined that one thousand children would get the benefit of the camp in these years. Nor, could we see the great impact on the children who went and then a few years late became teenage "staff" to help run the camp. No, God starts small but when He blesses, HE BLESSES BIG.

This is just the start. My goal is to see 10 new camps started in the next five years. We have another camp here in San Jose. It's small but guess what? It will grow.

Don't miss the blessing of seeing God work. Come visit us. Camp is seeing God paint the face of a child with a big smile.

Touchdown Camp For Our Children

Once again, we are excited to sponsor the Touchdown Camp for kids this summer, July 2012. We have up loaded some photos of camp. We hope that you can be a volunteer, a donor or an advocate for our cause. We need 50 volunteers and $10,000 to run the summer camp.

 

Camp Information

Date: July 16th -20th, 2012

Time: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Location: Verbo Church

2798 Bay Road, Redwood City, CA 94063

Tel: (650) 364-9821

For Volunteering

Call Doris Bates at (650) 368-1224

Email: djbdance@comcast.net

Visit www.touchdowncamp.com for more info.

For Donations

Write a check to: Project Lost Sheep

Mail check to:

co/Catherine Parlanti

Project Lost Sheep, Box 2735, Menlo Park, CA. 94026

Question about donations, email: catherineparlanti@hotmail.com

Help build our children's future. Donate, volunteer or be an advocate and spread the word. We love to see you there. Your efforts are much appreciated. Thank you and God Bless You.