News from June 14, 2007 issue

Local News
The Crittenden Press (3 pages) PDF
(Selected pages 1A, 4B, 5B)
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Summer fun tied to religion
Summer is officially only a week away, but fun has already begun around the county at a variety of Christian-oriented camps and churches.
The 119th Hurricane Camp Meeting is under way this week at Tolu, bringing about 35 young campers together for a week of fun from sunup to sundown, including nightly meals at 5:30 and evangelism at 7, both of which are open to the public. In fact, on Sunday, a special Father's Day meal of fried chicken will be served to anyone wanting to visit the camp.
Already, several churches have hosted or are currently hosting vacation Bible schools. The longtime tradition gives children of all ages an opportunity to fellowship and enjoy summer fun under Bible-based teaching and leadership.
Last Friday at Unity General Baptist Church in Crayne, children from 22 months to 16 years enjoyed a water slide purchased by the church to cap a week of Bible school teachings. Bible school director Jennifer Gibson said about 35 attended the church's annual weeklong school.
Gibson, who grew up in the church, was working alongside her mom and dad, Orville and Sheila Truitt, to ensure the youth were having a good time with water fun on a hot summer day. Gibson had two children of her own at Bible school, which, in fact, carried the water-theme of "Take the Plunge".
"The purpose is to have fun while learning about Jesus," Gibson said.
Pastor Buddy Hix said the kids were doing just that.
"We've been blessed this week," he said. "They have been so good."
Before Friday evening's commencement, Hix said at least three children had come forward to accept Jesus as their savior.
The fun goes on for weeks, as there are several more Bible schools scheduled at area churches in the near future. (See our Religion page on 6A for a listing.)
And, if you don't have a home church or feel comfortable with denominational teachings, a hidden treasure lies just to the west of Marion at Western Kentucky Youth Camp.
The sprawling grounds host seven non-denomination camps for youth of all ages this summer. In fact, it has hosted camps for about four decades.
"It's a Bible-based camp with Bible lessons twice a day," said full-time caretaker Lori Howton.
Howton said the camp, funded by Churches of Christ, plays host to youth from all over, with many coming from surrounding areas in western Kentucky.
"We have a lot coming from different states," she said, preparing for the first camp of the season this weekend.
The camps will kick-off Friday with Pee-Wee weekend. Pee-Wee weekend is for the youngest of campers and runs through Sunday. It is designed for the beginning camper, so parents and guardians are able to attend, perhaps enhancing relationships with their young camper and their relationship with God.
On its heels is Teen Week, June 17-23. The cost for this camp is $125 for the week.
Currently, there are openings for both camps, as well as the five others in subsequent weeks. Applications for all camps can be found online at www.wkyc.org. Applications and questions should be directed to each camp's respective director, listed on the Web site.
For activities, the camp has a swimming pool with certified lifeguards at all times, tennis and new basketball courts, shuffle board and 130 acres of ground to hike and play numerous different sports. A climate-controlled dining facility is also featured. Each camp accommodate up to 168 youth.
Besides exercise and fun designed for the respective age groups, Howton said the camps are a great opportunity for kids to make new friendships and enhance their spiritual lives.
"There's pretty much anything a child would want here," she said.