By Jen Bradley
Correspondent
While those living in East Troy don’t necessarily believe that stars in the night sky are a big attraction, the children who attended Timber-lee’s Urban Camp last week thought differently.
“For some, it’s the first time they’ve seen stars,” said Mary Kay Meeker, director of urban camp, retreats and volunteers. “Most of them live in an orange light area and can’t see the sky.”
Pastor Martin Stidham from Chicago International Free Church, agreed, saying that it’s difficult to get a large group of campers focused on one thing, but when the guest instructor at Urban Camp starting pointing out constellations, it was totally quiet.
“It was great. They can’t see that at home,” said Stidham.
Urban Camp has attracted children and staff from churches around the Midwest for nearly 40 years. They travel from the Chicago, Rockford, Racine, Milwaukee and Madison areas each year to Timber-lee’s picturesque 600-acres facility located on Scout Road.
Formerly known as Camp Willabay (when located in Williams Bay in the 1950s-1960s) and then Hull House Camp at the current location, Timber-lee opened for its first official summer season in 1972. It is an affiliate member of the Great Lakes District and Forest Lakes District of the Evangelical Free Church of America.
The executive director in the 1970’s, the Rev. Carl Weir, named the camp. “Timber” for the cross and strength of Jesus Christ, and “lee” for the leeward side of an island that provides rest and protection. All of the camp’s buildings are named after types of trees.
When the East Troy facility was bought by Timber-lee, Meeker said the previous owners wanted to ensure it was going to be used for outreach to children, and more importantly, underprivileged children.
Urban Camp was, and continues to be that opportunity both buyer and seller desired the facility to play host to.
Timber-lee feels very strongly, Meeker said, that “children not only have to grow physically, socially and mentally, but spiritually too, and understand there is a God who loves them and cares for them.”
Stidham, who has been attending Urban Camp for nearly a decade, said that it’s a pretty special experience, “seeing what God can do in the lives of these children.”
“A lot of them come from pretty bad situations,” he explained. “When they are out here and don’t have to worry, and can ride a horse or climb a tower, it’s a big blessing.”
Meeker echoed Stidham’s sentiment, and explained that many of the children who attend Urban Camp do not have consistency in their daily home lives.
For this one week each summer, they “know they are going to get three meals a day, are going to be safe, and be with people who really care about them,” she said.
Chris Radloff, program director at Timber-lee, added that “Urban Camp rounds out the youth ministry to kids by providing a camp experience to those who may not otherwise been able to have one.”
Meeker said that while the children may be economically disadvantaged, they also often have a poverty of spirit. Her favorite part of the week is watching the children “start to be children.”
Many are laden with responsibilities “far and above what they should have at their age,” she said. “To see them break loose from all that, and actually have fun, and just have that naïve smile on their face just makes me know this is a great place.”
The churches who attend Urban Camp are required to bring their own counselors, and while there is a small fee for each child, Timber-lee provides scholarships for the remaining costs.
Meeker said the camp would not be possible without the generosity of the community and people who believe in the camp’s mission.
Stidham said the churches attending are happy to provide staffing for the week. He himself was a counselor for most of his 10 years, then became a village leader and is now the morning speaker for the event.
Many people take their personal vacation time from jobs to volunteer at Urban Camp, knowing it will be fun, but also spending time with sometimes challenging children, he said. He explained they realize the lasting impact it makes on their lives and those of the children’s families.
“Some parents couldn’t believe we’d spend an entire week with their children,” Stidham said. “The kids have a great time. It has also blessed our church.”
He said the ability for the kids to mingle with those from a wide variety of backgrounds is a very profound social and educational opportunity.
At this point, Urban Camp has reached its limit of campers, but each year as dynamics at churches change, different and repeat groups make the trek to East Troy.
Meeker said it’s the little things which make her appreciate the Urban Camp experience.
One little boy didn’t want to get on the “big dog,” she recalled affectionately, referring to the horse he had seen while at camp.
“In East Troy we’re doing something for even the big cities,” Meeker said. “We’re trying to provide a great experience for inner-city children.”
