Brooklyn KidsCamp- Bethany United Methodist Church

For over a decade, Bethany UMC in Ellicott City, Maryland has had a summer mission trip during which youth lead a Vacation Bible School in Brooklyn, NY.  In 2015, we began partnering with a church in Crown Heights and the mission has been a huge success.  The Pastor and congregation at our host church are extremely excited to join with us again this year to provide a VBS for their children and the local community.  The VBS is held at their church Monday through Friday and includes activities at the church, recreation in a local park and escorting the campers to a public school each day for lunch. 

In the evenings, we go on trips into Manhattan, sightseeing, dinner, recreation, souvenir shopping etc. In previous years we have visited Times Square, Central Park, the M&M’s store, Cold Stone Creamery in Manhattan and the Staten Island Ferry.

Each evening after camp, we spend time in worship and reflect on the day’s events. We give thanks to God for blessing the mission, study scriptures and reflect on how they apply to our lives, and affirm each other. During the week, many will experience the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, and gain a new understanding of what it truly means to be the hands and feet of Christ and why a life of service to others is essential to our discipleship journey.