wfn.org | Camp Noah Expands to Serve Lutheran Children in Four States

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 25, 2000

CAMP NOAH EXPANDS TO SERVE LUTHERAN CHILDREN IN FOUR STATES
00-145-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Camp Noah, a week-long day camp for children who
have survived floods and other weather disasters, is expanding its
program this summer to meet the needs of children in Kansas, North
Carolina, Oklahoma and South Dakota.  Lutheran Disaster Response, a
ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, developed Camp Noah.
     The idea for Camp Noah "grew out of a need to respond to children
who had lost not only their homes but their playgrounds and schools from
floods," said Johanna Olson, assistant, Domestic Disaster Response, ELCA
Division for Church and Society.
     Camp Noah is named after the patriarch Noah of the Old Testament
of the Christian Bible.  Noah built an ark in which he, his family, and
living creatures of every kind survived a world-wide flood.
     Olson said Lutheran Disaster Response created Camp Noah in 1997,
when heavy winter storms produced floods in Minnesota, North Dakota and
South Dakota.       That year floods destroyed 19 of 22 child care centers
in East Grand Forks, N.D., Olson said.  "Children also lost their
summers of fun and play."  Many city recreational programs in the Red
River Valley were canceled as a result of the floods, she said.
     "This summer our hope is to serve 400 children in Kansas, North
Carolina, Oklahoma and South Dakota," Olson said.
     In South Dakota, Camp Noah will serve children "who live on land
that is slowly being absorbed by the waters of Waubay Lake," Olson said.
In Kansas and Oklahoma, Camp Noah will serve children who witnessed a
series of tornadoes that destroyed hundreds of homes last May.  In North
Carolina, Camp Noah will serve children who withstood a hurricane and
days of flooding and high-standing water last year, she said.
     Camp Noah is a "community camp for all children who have been
affected by a disaster," said Olson.  "It is for children who have
completed kindergarten but have not yet entered the seventh grade," she
said.
     Camp activities include worship, Bible study, a study on disaster,
crafts, games, small group activities, field trips and snacks.  The
program is free.
     Olson said Camp Noah is unique in the field of disaster response
because it "serves children while underscoring Lutheran Disaster
Response's commitment to long-term recovery.  It is an example of
Lutherans reaching out in creative ways to support people affected by a
disaster."
     Camp Noah staff include six camp counselors, one day-camp
coordinator and a mental-health professional.  The coordinator and three
camp counselors come from three of the 28 colleges and universities of
the ELCA -- Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa; Concordia College, St.
Paul, Minn.; and St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn.
     Lutheran social service agencies and social ministry organizations
from around the country help to organize Camp Noah, Olson added.
Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota put together Camp Noah for
Lutheran Disaster Response, she said.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html