FEATURE STORY

Helping on the Fly: Strike Camp

On September 24, Pastor Kyle invited FAC staff to an impromptu meeting to float the idea of offering a day camp for families who would be trying to figure out childcare with a teacher’s strike. Could we pull it off? Would there be enough staff, parents, and screened volunteers willing to help out? The goal was to offer 1 week of margin for parents trying to navigate the change in their families’ routines. It would mean coming up with a make-shift day camp program for 5 days, and securing enough help for safe supervision and leadership with a week and a half to pull it off.

An email was sent out to FAC parents and screened volunteers, casting the vision and putting out the call for help. The response was a strong yes, with well over 50 people ready to step up to make “Strike Camp” happen!

The DiscoveryLand team and available staff jumped in, coming up with a schedule of fun activities for each day while the camp registration was set up, launched, and communication sent out to invite families to sign up. Strike Camp was a go!

“When Kyle presented this idea to the staff, I felt a strong stirring in my heart … I couldn’t help but think of what an amazing opportunity it could be to show love to people in our community in an incredibly practical way,” shares Pastor Rosalind Coben.

This past week, we welcomed 91 kids from Kindergarten to Grade 4 to FAC Deerfoot for a week of high-energy worship and teaching, crafts, outdoor sports and games, indoor activity stations, and even a field trip to Granary Road.

“I wish this camp was longer than 5 days because I’m having SO much fun and I never want it to end!! I just love it so much and I definitely want to come back for DiscoveryCamp this summer!” exclaimed one camper who had never been to church before.

“Having a front row seat seeing this all come together has been an honour of a lifetime,” reflects Pastor Kyle. “Seeing how our church jumped into action to help has been nothing less than extraordinary. So many adult and teen leaders leaned in, and so many people from FAC and from the community have been cared for, loved, and served. What a joy it is to join Jesus in this way, through this day camp, as we tried to help and support families amidst the complexity and uncertainty of this season.”

Pastor Rosalind adds, “I’m in awe of the way God equipped and empowered His people to come together to make this happen, and I’m so excited about what God is doing in the lives of each one of those kids, parents, and leaders!”

A huge thank you to every parent, staff, and screened volunteer who jumped at the chance to give their time and help serve these families. Thank you to everyone who prayed for the camp. Thank you, FAC, for being a church ready to be all-in and to join Jesus wherever He leads us!