A Soldier’s Coming Home
Camp Noah’s new, “A Soldier’s Coming Home” camp, is a week-long, faith and
resiliency-based day camp especially developed for children ( K-6) whose
parent has been deployed and is now coming home. Each day, children will
encounter Biblical and other characters that possess resiliency strengths
that children need when recovering from a parent’s deployment or preparing
for reunion with their families. The Camp will be free for any child whose
parent is a deployed member of the Minnesota National Guard.
*Donations by check can be made out to LSS Camp Noah
and mailed to: LSS Camp Noah 2485 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108
Four Primary Goals of A Soldier’s Coming Home Day Camp:
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To build a realistic spirit of hope and optimism in young children for a
successful reunion and reintegration of their returning parent back into
the family;
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To identify the talents and skills each child has, and to show them how
to share these gifts in the reunion and reintegration process;
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To build on the incredible resiliency the child has already shown during
deployment, and demonstrate that they can play an important and supportive
role in the reunion and reintegration process.
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To increase each child’s understanding that God loves them and will be
with them through the immediate and long term changes caused by the
reintegration of their deployed parent.
The Camp Noah structure allows children time to gather,
play, discuss, and use their creativity. A Soldier’s Coming Home also
builds on the strengths and therapeutic research-base of the 10 year Camp
Noah experience working with children who have suffered from trauma and
loss in natural disasters.
How to Have a Camp in Your Area:
Camp Noahs are often held in churches, schools and community centers. If
children in your area have been affected by disaster (natural or
human-caused), Camp Noah might be a great opportunity for them to play,
process and heal from their experience. These camps are offered at no cost
to children thanks to generous financial and in-kind donations from
community partners.
If you are interested in having a camp in your town, or
assembling a volunteer team to serve these children, please contact:
Cindy Johnson
Director
Camp Noah and Disaster Services
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
651.969.2368
cindy.johnson@lssmn.org
Kara VerHage
Program Manager
Camp Noah and Disaster Services
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
651.969.2345
kara.verhage@lssmn.org
