Cruisin’ for Free Camp

William Paine/The Patriot

The Cruisin’ for Free Camp at Valley Harvest Ministries church took place under near perfect weather conditions on Sunday, May 21.

By WILLIAM PAINE

The Patriot

Valley Harvest Ministries hosted the Cruisin’ for Free Camp last Sunday, as 77 classic vehicles filled the parking area of the church that overlooks Route 100 in Dublin. As the title suggests, the Cruisin’ raises funds for Valley Harvest Ministries’ Free Camp, which the church has sponsored since 2012.

“This is a big fundraiser for us,” said Director of Free Camp Sharon Webb. “It really helps. We feed them for three days and that’s a big expense … they eat a lot!”

The children who attend Free Camp range from 7 to 12 years in age. On average 75 to 80 children attend Free Camp, which generally takes place in early/mid-June.

“The campers enjoy swimming, waterslides, laser tag, martial arts, crafts and, of course, Bible study,” Webb explained. “We do everything with them. We do a lot of singing and playing outside. It’s a lot of really good, clean fun.”

Webb started the Free Camp program at her church after experiencing divine inspiration.

“I have an email from years ago where I said, ‘God gave me a vision,’” Webb recounted. “We’re going to have a camp. I don’t know how it’s going to happen; I don’t know where it’s going to happen but we’re supposed to have a camp. Several years later the mission team got together and we found out through the Appalachian Conference of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church that Free Camp was actually a thing.”

From there, and with the help of Valley Harvest Ministries Pastor Steve Willis, Free Camp was born and many children and parents in the area are very glad it was.

This year’s Free Camp takes place from Friday June 9 till Sunday June 11 at Valley Harvest Ministries.

Parents who want to enroll their children in Free Camp can call Valley Harvest Ministries or Sharon Webb directly at (540) 599-5160.