Board members Mark Sewalson and Bruce Ladd were heavy into their duties at camp. Bruce said, “We made it a family affair this year. My wife, Nina, has been volunteering at camp for 20 years. We’re here, along with our two daughters.” “I’m a Big Sis at Tot Lot. It means so much to be here ... more than I thought it would,” said Candace Ladd.

Mark Sewalson, of Anderson & Sewalson Investment Consulting, brought a contingent of volunteers from his church, Sharon Rose Baptist and said:

Even though stuff always happens at the office, I know I’m where I’m supposed to be. Those issues get resolved without me. I’m where I’m really needed. If the guys needing reports could look into the eyes of these kids, I know they’d get why I’m here.

Joe Zimmerman was on summer staff at City Union Mission in 1998 and said:

I’m the youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Panhandle, Texas, now. I thought it would be great to bring my youth here for the experience. It’s a good camp and great all the way around for my group as well as for the campers. We’re already looking forward to coming again next year.

Hanna, one of Joe’s youth, helped with recreation and said:

Everything about camp is great. I can’t believe it’s almost time to go home. I don’t want to go. It’s been really good to get to see how different cultures worship. The other night some kids did a worship rap song. It really touched my heart.  I Sure hope I can come back!

Chris has been volunteering for five years now.  A youth pastor with Grace Christian Fellowship Church of Shawnee, Kansas, he said:

It’s an opportunity to minister to kids who have nothing ... to kids who’ve been in unbelievable situations that I certainly haven’t experienced. My wife and I have five kids aged 9, 7, 4, 2, and 10 months so it’s a real sacrifice, especially for her, to have me gone. We decided it’s definitely worth it. It’s always been worth it.

Carol Bradburn, a teacher, has been volunteering for ten years. She presented a very clear simple gospel message during the Chapel. She said:

My son, Travis, recruited me a long time ago. He’s the Camp Administrator for City Union Mission. I love the kids! They are so receptive to the gospel message. They respond in a totally different way from the kids I’m with during the school year. I love the opportunity to tell them about Jesus. They get to hear the truth in this place and to experience the love that Christ has for each one of them.

SueMelissa has been volunteering for 5 years and said, “I just love Tot Lot.”

Lindsy Richardson brought her 2 ½ month old daughter, Halle, with her to camp.  She said, “It’s awesome to see how gentle the little ones are with the baby.”

Angie Clayton has been a Tot Lot manager for two weeks every year since 2000.  She said:

I love camp. You don’t ever see the body of Christ work the way it’s described in the Bible the way it is done down here at camp. Volunteers come in not knowing one another at all, and then God does this miraculous thing. It’s purifying how He gets all the personality baggage out of the way, so we all can focus on the kids, on being the hands and feet of Christ. You have to live the gospel to the little ones. You have to love them into the kingdom. They’re too little for lectures or sermons.

Connie Schuman was here as a Head Cook for the first time and said:

I’ll be back. This has been a new experience for me, very jolting to be apart of this. Serving the children is a real joy. The teamwork has been unbelievable.

Erica helped with crafts and said, “I knew I wanted to do ministry this summer ... especially to see kids learn about Jesus. I hope to be able to come back.”

Connie Chambers, granddaughter of the City Union Mission founders has been volunteering at camp for 26 years.

This has been here for so long that it feels solid to me. When so much else is changing in the world, this remains the same. When I come here the whole world goes away. There’s no TV or radio. The time here changes me. Everyone should try it. Let camp do it’s magic on you.

To view a video of The Faces of Camp CUMCITO, please click here.

If you want to have an opportunity that will change your life, you can be a camp volunteer too!  Please click here for more information, or call 816-329-1487.