God’s Way of Showing Us His Kingdom
A HUGS Helper Shares Her Camp Experience
By Naomi Hill
The annual diocesan HUGS (Helping Understand God through Sharing) Camp took place July 20-24, 2015. One helper camper shared her experience and how it was clear the camp was a glimpse of God's kingdom.
Everything is better when you have someone to share it with, when you can rely on that person for help, and share in your moments of pride and weakness. When we see love, I think that it is God’s way of showing us his kingdom here on Earth. The diocese hosts HUGS (Helping Understand God through Sharing) Camp, which allows many youth, including me and other youth from this church, to help build a safe haven for those who might otherwise not be able to experience the joy of camp. Each year we are presented with a new challenge and yet also a profound idea that we can do anything we set our minds to.
In the world we live in, those who appear different are quick to be judged based on appearance or how they interact with others; especially those who have disabilities. That is what makes HUGS so unique; it is a place where all are integrated, helping one another and showing one another kindness no matter what we look like or how we act. Teenagers, such as myself, are trained to be “Helper Campers” and act as the camper’s, with disabilities ranging from autism to wheelchair bound, caregiver for the week. Throughout the week we do activities that would happen at a typical sleep away camp such as campfire, pooltime, field games, and crafts. Each camper is encouraged to participate and enjoy the activities with the teenager or “helper camper” they have been paired with for the week.
Every year the week of HUGS has a different theme to guide activities and set the tone and this year "The Lego Movie" was picked. The message in the movie is that each of us has the power to change the world with the incredible gifts we have been blessed with. My favorite part about the camp are the bonds we form not only with the other helper campers but the campers themselves. This camp is a place of pure magic where God’s love is shown through laughter, dance, kind words, and last but certainty not least, lots and lots of heartwarming hugs.
I hope one day you are all able to experience the raw happiness of HUGS and those who are blessed to be different.
Naomi Hill served as a helper camper at HUGS Camp 2015 and is a parishioner at Christ Church, Raleigh.
