By Carlos Medley
“All your children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children” (Isa. 54:13, NKJV)
For this promise to be fulfilled, who will teach the young ones?
A small group of certified educators at Patmos Chapel Seventh-day Adventist Church in Apopka, Florida, answered that question when they dedicated eight weeks of their summer last year to conduct the first “Kids at the Well Summer Camp” for 8- to 13-year-olds. This summer, the camp will convene in June on the church campus (the Well Activity Center, 110 Athletes Row, Apopka 32703).
The students learned the basics of how a tornado forms with this simulation.
Shooting Rockets, Shooting Hoops
Imagine nearly 30 third--, fourth--, and fifth-graders immersed in a plethora of hands-on activities. They’re shooting rockets, honing basketball skills, growing plants, coding computers, dramatizing Bible stories, learning about DNA, engaging in Jiu-Jitsu (self-defense), playing soccer, and more. For example, through data collection and analysis, the students could determine whether their thought processes were guided by the right or left sides of their brains. They also simulated a functioning heart and learned how to predict genetic traits.
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Each day began with creative devotional presentations such as, deep-sea diving with Jonah, weight lifting with Sampson, Elijah the marathon runner, and Daniel and God of rolling stones.
Chef Arturo Bello provided hot gourmet meals for lunch that were healthy and nutritious. No wonder lunchtime became one of the camp’s most popular features.
While the children loved lunch, they also had high praise for other parts of the camp. Taura Liddell, 9, says she enjoyed learning about outer space and planets. She also enjoyed making new friends. Blake Brown, 8, loved honing his basketball skill and was fascinated with the birth process. “God knew us even before our mothers were born,” he said. Evannie Diaz-Rivera, 9, loved to express herself through art and enjoyed learning the rudiments of DNA and RNA and detecting blood types.
Along with academics, camp also helped children hone their social skills. Some activities involved working in groups and making public presentations. Morgan Taylor, 8, said one of the memorable things he learned was “don’t doubt other people. Treat others like you want to be treated.” Taylor also believes that camp helped students learn things they will use in school.
Instructor Johnathan Daly (right) assists a student with robotics.
Quick Start
The camp was born out of a series of zoom calls with Patmos Chapel educators in early May. The goal was to create a biblically-based educational experience for children, led by Dr. Lacreatia Daly, Karen Thomas, Kyra Soriano, Bettina Bertram, Carman Haydee Rivera Lopez. Patmos Chapel Children’s Pastor Rachel Taylor, envisioned a well-rounded learning experience that included athletics, Bible, and STEM courses (science, technology, engineering, and math).
Four weeks before the start of camp the group engaged parents, recruited teachers, solicited donations and resources. AdventHealth, Forest Lake Academy, Forest Lake Education Center, 6 Levels Apopka (Jiu-Jitsu school), and JoyFM, collaborated with the church and provided resources and services. Several church members donated scholarships that opened the door for more students to participate. The team insisted that the venture be self-sustaining so as to not infringe on the church’s budget.
“The purpose was to give students a biblical view of math and science. They will not get this in public schools, where the subjects are disconnected.” Dr. Daly pointed out. “When these subjects are taught in a framework of mind, body, and soul, along with our Creator, then students can embrace it, learn it, as they develop a deeper relationship with God and prepare themselves for STEM careers.” Science instruction was modeled after ByDesign, the official science curriculum used by Seventh-day Adventist K-8 schools in North America. “Our goal was to offer a wholistic approach to reduce the anxiety students have toward science and math from a testing perspective to an engaging, loving, relationship-based interaction,” Daly explained.
Every day brought new surprises for Kids at the Well. “Being a stay-at-home parent, our premise was that each day was different,” Pastor Taylor explained. “Children can lose focus when activities are the same.” In commenting on the camp’s spiritual impact, Taylor said. “I’ve seen the spiritual growth in my own child during the camp. He’s praying differently and there’s a real difference how he reacts at home and with others.”
Noting how quickly the project came together, Daly declared that God’s guidance made the venture successful. “We had a plan but God was the director,” she said. “With nearly 30 kids attending, including students from Louisiana, South Carolina, and Virginia, the potential is there to reach 50 to 60 children next year.”
The campers learned basic techniques in self defense from Jiu-Jitsu instructor Rodney Risner.
Special Guest
Florida State Representative Anna Eskimani visited during camp. She dialogued with the children and heard them sing. She was impressed by their friendliness and the strong academics. “The impact that COVID had on our (Florida) kids cannot be underestimated,” Rep. Eskimani noted. “It’s really important to create environments for our kids to interact with each other and catch up on math and reading skills that they may have struggled to develop during virtual learning.”
“The Kids at the Well Camp is a dream realized,” says Patmos Chapel administrative pastor Marvin McClean. “The camp is what we envisioned for our Well Activity Center. It has been a real blessing. I’ve seen the joy and happiness in the kids. I’ve been in the classroom and seen them doing innovative things in science. I’ve seen them engage in sports activities, learning sportsmanship. It was a wonderful environment, and it is something we can build upon for the community at large. We’re looking forward to greater things when 2025 comes.”
This camper is learning about genetics.
“This is a faith-based initiative aimed at spreading the love of Christ in our community,” McClean says. “We do this intentionally by having loving, caring teachers on staff, engaging young people, and providing a positive learning environment. We’re exposing them to faith principles that give them guidance and instruction for life.”
This year, the “Kids at the Well” summer camp runs from June 2 to July 26 at the Well Activity Center in Apopka. To register and get more information, click here (www.TheWellSummerCamp.com) or call 407-316-2205
Carlos Medley is the communication director for Patmos Chapel Church.
