The first time Djurabe came to a Salvation Army Summer Camp, he was just nine years old. That summer, a mentor introduced him to the drums and recognized a talent Djurabe hadn’t yet seen in himself. That encouragement sparked a love for music he still carries with him today.
Years later, he returned to camp as a staff member, hoping to give younger campers the same kind of encouragement that once shaped him. Now he spends time connecting with campers one-on-one, helping them discover their own gifts.
Djurabe says camp changed him in ways he never expected. He still remembers the first time he hiked to the top of the mountain at camp and experienced the quiet peace waiting there. That hike is now an annual tradition where he gathers with other campers for devotions and reflects on lessons that continue to guide his life.
“We’re having fun,” he says, “but we’re also connecting with God. I feel myself growing not just as a person, but spiritually.”
Today, campers continue to experience the same mentorship, faith, and encouragement that helped shape Djurabe’s life. And he wants you to know something:
“Many children from low-income families rarely experience life outside their immediate neighborhood. That’s why The Salvation Army’s annual summer programs for kids are so important,” said The Salvation Army San Bernardino corps officer.
Every year, thousands of kids of all ages get a fresh perspective on life as they meet new friends, discover new activities, and get a taste of the great outdoors. As campers learn to swim, play sports, create music, make art, and scout, their trained counselors help them navigate the complicated emotions and struggles often associated with their lives back home.
A week at one of our summer camps costs $350 for one child, but the child's family pays only $25, thanks to the generosity of people who know that being at camp exposes kids to positive influences and keeps them away from gangs and drugs.
Sadly, we know that children are most likely to commit or experience criminal activity between 3 and 6 p.m. on weekdays. But if they are at camp, their exposure is a whole different experience.
At the Salvation Army's Summer Camps for Kids, campers learn to swim, play sports, go scouting and make music and art while under the watchful eyes of trained counselors. They make new friends, learn new games and activities, and have a great time enjoying California's spectacular great outdoors.
To help children have a safe and wonderful summer, mail a tax-deductible donation to: Salvation Army Camp Sponsorship, P.O. Box 26, Redlands, CA 92373 or donate online at https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/equip-families/.
About the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. To donate go to: www.salvationarmyusa.org