Koinonia NYC, in partnership with Lutheran Counseling Center (LCC) and with generous financial support from Lutheran Disaster Response of New York (LDRNY), is offering its third summer of New Ground Day Camps. The day camp ministry was developed after Sept. 11, with the mission of creating an intentional opportunity for a diverse group of children to form a supportive community. New Ground Day Camp assists in campers’ growth and development in the face of ongoing challenges in life since the events of Sept. 11.

The focus of Summer 2004 New Ground is to provide campers with Tools of Response and Preparedness. Each camper group daily spends time with a Mental Health worker from LCC in Tool Time, where the campers learn tools for life – communication skills, coping skills, relational skills, etc. Bible study, crafts, games, skits, stories and fun are also essential elements of New Ground Day Camp. The Bible Study this summer is entitled “It’s God – It’s Good.” Campers are discovering God’s good intentions for their lives as individuals and as a community.

New Ground Day Camp is also designed to assist the hosting congregation to reach out to the community through this exciting ministry. “One of our returning congregations doubled they numbers of campers this summer. Last year, after New Ground they had enough community interest to start a Sunday school. This year with the increased number of New Ground Campers the pastor indicated she better purchase more Sunday School materials for the fall,” said Pastor Ann Tiemeyer, Koinonia NYC Director. When the bright parachute is opened up for games in the church yard or local park, it always draws the attention of near by children and adults.

“The strength of New Ground Day Camp is that it helped our children know God is always with them to help. The children learned how to help each other and to know they are good. They learned church is fun,” said an adult volunteer from St. Phillip’s Lutheran Church.

With the third summer of New Ground Day Camp half over, Koinonia NYC is already planning for next summer. Koinonia is building New Ground Day Camp so it can continue for years and years to come. LDRNY funds have allowed for this exciting ministry to become well established, but the value of this ministry goes beyond response to Sept, 11, New Ground Day Camp will continue to help congregations and schools be the church here in the New York City area for years to come. If you’re interested in hosting New Ground Day Camp in the summer of 2005, contact Pastor Ann Tiemeyer – Koinonia NYC Director at 212-669-6130 or KoinoniaNYC@yahoo.com.