Editor’s note: Due to Hurricane Irene, the Special Needs Day Camp was rescheduled to Oct. 1.
MIDDLETOWN, Md.—The Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware and Skycroft Conference Center will host an all-day Family Camp for children with special needs and their families.
To be held Saturday, Oct. 1, 9 a.m.- 6:30 p.m., this camp features recreation, arts and crafts, fellowship and counseling opportunities for parents and siblings.The day will start with an inclusive worship service, which accepts and involves all members of the family in the same service. For some, it may be the first time that the whole family has worshipped together because of the special needs involved.
There is space for 15 families.The cost is $150 per family, which includes lunch and dinner. Limited scholarships are available for those who qualify.
Ministry to families with children who face special needs is growing within BCM/D churches.
Recently, members from Seaside Church in Lewes, Del., participated in what they considered one of their “most exciting new outreach ministries,” according to Bob Tice, church member.
“We believe God has directed this special ministry and has led us in this outreach both financially and with dedicated members who will commit to its support,” he said.
Tice noted that over the last several years (yet not all at the same time), the Lord has placed three young children with special needs in their church which they believe “exposed, enabled, and prepared” their membership for what is now their new Children with Special Needs Ministry.
On June 8, Seaside participated in its first ministry event with families and children with special needs in conjunction with the Sussex Consortium. This Cape Henlopen District school serves students with severe learning disabilities who are unable to benefit from traditional special education services offered in the home school areas.The event was held at Jungle Jim’s Water Park in Rehoboth Beach, Del. The church’s leaders assisted with the recreational water activities, and the church provided some financial assistance for 170 students and staff entrance costs.
“The event was lots of fun and all enjoyed the interaction, water and slides together,” Tice said.
“We believe God opened this door of ministry and will continue to bless our efforts as we honor HIM in reaching out to those who so desperately need to know they have a place to worship and a place where families and their children are accepted.”
To date, the Seaside staff has helped get the word out about the church’s willingness to help families. Significant accommodations have been made to have a place within the worship/sanctuary area for the families and their children to be involved in the worship service together with the whole congregation.
AMPLIFY YOUR IMPACT
Seaside asks for prayer support from friends at the Delaware Association, the BCM/D, and sister churches as the Lord grows their new ministry and as they share God’s love and mercy to a community group that is just about virtually untapped in most areas. Their prayer is that “we will be obedient and faithful in following HIS will concerning this new ministry at Seaside Church.”
To register for the upcoming Special Needs Family Camp, visit online at http://skycroft.org/?page_id=243. For more information, call Skycroft at (800) 536-6759.