Summer Camp 2024 Report

I’m excited to share the report from this year’s Summer Camp.

Here's the headline: 201 Karis children attended. Around 40 gave their lives to Jesus. Like years past, children showed up with their walls up but slowly found love, encouragement, and hope at Summer Camp, choosing to re-commit their lives to God in an unfair and broken world.

See for yourself. These children were impacted by the gospel message to “live in the world but not be of it.”

A few thanks: Lots of hard work over many months went into making Summer camp a reality. Thank you to all the KFLM team, the many volunteers from the Ugandan church, and the UK team who flew out to be there.

A big special thank you to Solome for compiling the original report, which I’ve adapted for us.

Will Law
Will Law
UK Champion
will.law@kariskids.org

Karis Summer Camp Report 2024

Compiled by Solome Kalagala. Edited by Will Law

This year’s Summer Camp took place from Monday 26th to Friday 30th August about 18 miles east of the city at Seroma Christian High School in the Mukono district.

All told we had 201 Karis children — aged 9 to early 20s — from the six Link Churches. (226 were invited. 25 could not make it due to other commitments.)

Church Link Number of Children
St Nicholas Kalerwe–Christ Church Winchester 59
St Paul’s Okuvu–Downs Benefice 29
St Luke’s Ntinda–Beckenham Group 6
St Peter’s Wandegeya–Winchester Vineyard 44
St Peter’s Naguru–Woking Group 12
Total 201

Children from the St Peters Wandegeya link

Children from the St Lukes Ntinda link

Children from the St Nicholas Kalerwe link


Preparation

In the lead-up to camp, we held two training sessions for the camp facilitators at All Saints Cathedral.

The team were prepped on the camp programme, leading small groups, the teaching curriculum, and trained on their role and responsibilities.


Arrival at Camp

The Diocesan Administrators, a few Link Church priests, and the Karis staff received the UK team upon arrival.

UK team with the DOK administrators, Link Church priests, and Karis staff

UK team with the Karis staff


Camp Theme

“In the world but not of the world”

Based upon Romans 12:1–2:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.


Left: Rev. Canon John Awodi
Right: Ruth Owino sharing with Merab Gaamuwa behind her

Opening Message

Rev. Canon John Awodi (the Diocesan Secretary) opened the camp.

He began with thanksgiving:

  • Thanking God for another opportunity to be together at camp.

  • Welcoming the UK team and thanking them for representing so many who support from afar.

  • Welcoming all the children who turned up in big numbers!

  • Expressing gratitude to the vicars, Church Community Mobilisers, facilitators, and Karis staff for their hard work and commitment.

Canon John then shared the camp theme and urged the campers to live by three points:

  1. Do not conform to the patterns of this world. Rather, allow God to renew our minds and transform our lives.

  2. Guard our bodies jealously as a living sacrifice. Be aware that bad company corrupts good character.

  3. We are in the world but not of the world. We will not manage in our own strength but must depend on God. 


Morning Devotions

At the start of each day, the children had morning devotions in age-specific small groups led by a facilitator. They read the day’s Bible verse, before sharing reflections, praying, and committing the day to God.


Bible Study

For the daily Bible Study, each age-specific group was led by a Bible teacher from Scripture Union. During the session, facilitators preached mini-sermons, campers were given time for questions, and there was an extended time of prayer for issues raised.

During this time, about 40 children gave their lives to Jesus. Many others recommitted.

On the last day, each child was given a commitment card to jot down habits and behaviors that they thought would help transform their lives.


Debate Class

Children were divided into two teams: one affirming, one challenging.

The motion for debate was set:
“This house believes punishment is a necessity in a child’s life.”

Four children from each team were selected to present the group views before a panel of judges.

The judges had 3 scoring criteria:

  1. Content (quality)

  2. Style (voice, confidence, body language)

  3. Strategy (time management, response to points)

This session was intended to enhance the children’s skills in public speaking, confidence, critical thinking, organisation, listening, and persuasion.

Very powerful skills to have!


Drug Abuse Seminar

In Uganda, the prevalence of drug abuse among youths is estimated at 70% — a lot higher than 45.5% estimate for East Africa.

We thought it critical to address this issue during camp.

Our team parnered with “Alka House Uganda”, a rehab center run by a former drug addict who completely reformed. Along with his two colleagues (also former drug addicts), they shared about their past and their path to healing.

The team spoke about what drug abuse is, the triggers, the road to recovery, and how to find specialized help.


Fun Night & Movie Night

On Fun Night the children were given the opportunity to participate in different activities; a poem, a theme song, a skit, and a dance.

On Movie Night the campers watched A Question Of Faith, an American movie about three families whose lives collide due to a tragedy which forces their lives on a journey of finding God’s love.


Arts & Crafts, Sports & Games

Each camper was able to decorate 🧢 a cap for themselves.

They also got involved in other crafts like making keyrings, designing group banners, and kumihimo decoration (traditional Japanese artform and craftwork for making braids and cords). Lots of fun was had!

Both girls and boys teams played football, basketball, and netball. In each game, the best team as well as the best player was celebrated. A few individual players were given sports kits that the UK team brought across.

Top: Groups decorating their banners  ·  Bottom: Children decorating their caps

Top: The 9-12 group posing with their decorated caps  ·  Bottom: Crocheting

Top: Basketball  ·  Bottom: Football


Camp Fire

At the end of camp, we lit a campfire to commemorate the goodness of God that sustained us through the week.

Groups and individuals presented dances and songs and participated in the eating competition. During this time, campers wrote papers with things they were letting go of and threw them in the fire. The children were prayed for and committed to God.

To close, roasts and tea was served and the campers sang gospel songs.

Peace praying for the children


And everything else…

Summer Camp was jam-packed:

  • Camp T-shirts — On the first day, everyone got a 2024 Summer Camp t-shirt which always includes the camp theme.

  • Morning Drills — A trained sportsperson led the campers in morning drills to prepare their minds and bodies for the day.

  • Lots of Food — The campers enjoyed many great meals.

  • Praise & Worship — Simple and edifying songs were selected each day.

  • Letter Writing — There was a time for the children to share their camp experiences with their UK link families.

Top Left: Distributing T-shirts  ·  Top Right: Meal Time
Bottom Left: Gym / Morning Drills  ·  Bottom Right: Letter Writing


Thanks again to the KFLM staff, the Church of Uganda, and the UK team who helped make this year’s camp a resounding success for the Karis children.

Will Law