25 students attend preteen camp
By Jillian Lucas
Juggling performances, American Ninja Warrior members, fireworks, ga-ga ball, ropes course, archery, and ziplining were just a handful of the activities that local kids got to experience while participating in a fun week at camp.
July 12-16, 25 preteen students and four sponsors from First Baptist Church attended Camp Copass.
“We had a fantastic time,” said FBC youth minister Campbell Terry. “It was an incredible week for all of our kids and leaders.”
Camp Copass is located in Denton, Texas and offers an array of games, activities, entertainment, and excitement while also providing students with Bible study, messages, and worship.
“The number of activities available for students to choose from was just phenomenal,” said adult leader Ginger Bumguardner. “These were things that students otherwise might never have gotten to participate in.”
Among these activities were indoor and outdoor cooking, Jujitsu, weird science, ceramics, jewelry making, dodgeball, fishing, shooting gallery, basketball, canoeing, and much more.
“The students were able to choose what activities they wanted to do each day,” Bumguardner explained. “They also got to swim each day and enjoy rec time with their teams.”
This year’s speaker was juggler Jesse Joyner, who incorporated a juggling act into worship time each evening.
“It seemed to engage the kids even more,” said Bumguardner. “They were listening to every word he said. I thought it was such a good way to deliver the message while hanging onto everyone’s attention.”
Each night ended with some kind of fun and extravagant entertainment.
“We had a big carnival one night,” said Bumguardner, “with face painting, cotton candy, and every inflatable bounce house you can imagine.”
American Ninja Warriors were in attendance, and after they spoke to the group and gave a demonstration, students were able to try their hands at being ninja warriors, according to Bumguardner.
The week ended with a fireworks display on the last night of camp.
“Our week couldn’t have gone better,” Terry said. “We were just excited to have the opportunity to be back at camp this summer and to be able to take a lot of these kids on what ended up being their first camp experience.”
Other than Terry and Bumguardner, camp leaders included Cameron Dacus and Lana Britton.
Terry is leaving Albany at the beginning of August to pursue a path in ministry by attending Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri.
“My time in Albany started back in 2018 by being a sponsor at summer camp,” said Terry. “It seems only fitting that that’s how I ended my time in Albany as well. The memories I have made here will last me a lifetime.”
