Integrational Summer Camp

"Colourful planet" 2007 г

In July-August, 2007, the summer Christian camp УColourful PlanetФ for special needs children was held for the 15th time in the УDruzhnihФ rest complex in a beautiful place on the bank of the Barnaulka River. That year about 120 children had a rest at camp during four shifts. Many of them had already been there for several times and were very happy to take the opportunity to meet their friends, to spend good time and to learn something new about God. About 40 counselors-volunteers from Barnaul, Rubzovsk, Tomsk, Bijsk, Novosibirsk and other Siberian cities helped to do the childrenТs rest interesting. The counselorsТ work was rather their ministry: getting no money for their job, they gave care and attention to the special children, showed them ChristТs love. A counselor Natasha says: УIt has changed my worldview; special children have taken a special place in my life. IТve understood that it is my ministryФ.

During seven days of each shift, the kids took part in the services, participated in the activity of various clubs, such as traditional УBiblical StoriesФ, УCraftsФ, УPhysical TrainingФ, and new musical, sports, cooking clubs and others. Besides, the kids took part in different games, competitions, bathed in the river, showed their abilities at the Talents Contest and just had fun at the carnival. Two of four shifts were experimental. For the first time the second and the fourth shifts were integrating; healthy and special needs children had a rest together. Besides, there were no Уcounselors and kidsФ at the fourth youth shift. Healthy and special needs young people 16-30 years of age had a rest, took part in the services, discussed vital topics together, and helped each other in the groups.

So, the camp took place. For many counselors, it has become the place, where they have learned to serve other people and to accept others as they are, to see them as valuable and dear to God. As a counselor Nastya says, the camp has changed her attitude to such children: pity gave way to unconditional acceptance. She has understood that one can communicate, play, make something with the special needs kids as well as with the healthy children. For many children, the camp has become the place, where they felt needed, accepted by people and by God. УThe camp УColourful PlanetФ 2007 was super! I was happy to meet new friends and to make new onesФ, says 18-year-old Sergey, participated in the fourth shift. So, itТs not surprising that he, as many other children, Уis waiting for the next summer impatientlyФ.