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Genovations Media
Dec 11, 20155 min read

Camp Skillz: Uganda

This last week in Uganda, our Immersion team put on a five-day kids character camp for the students at St. John's Primary. The concept of the camp is based off of the Camp Skillz program offered each summer at the G.O.D. Headquarters in Nashville. This year was the first time we offered a camp of this magnitude in this area of Uganda. Over 220 children were in attendance! It was a wonderful week that none of us will forget.

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1449852909898-5KFFXVRR7T0HA1714CTJ/DSC_0955.jpg" alt=" Camp Skillz: Uganda was a five-day character camp held on the property of St. John's school during the students' winter holiday.&amp;nbsp; " />

Camp Skillz: Uganda was a five-day character camp held on the property of St. John's school during the students' winter holiday.&nbsp;

Camp Skillz: Uganda was a five-day character camp held on the property of St. John's school during the students' winter holiday.

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1449852935487-60CNITD8O6CWWID7V8ZM/DSC_2044.jpg" alt=" The area surrounding St. John's is extremely impoverished. Most children showed up to camp without shoes. Many of them told us it was the only meal they would eat that day.&amp;nbsp; " />

The area surrounding St. John's is extremely impoverished. Most children showed up to camp without shoes. Many of them told us it was the only meal they would eat that day.&nbsp;

The area surrounding St. John's is extremely impoverished. Most children showed up to camp without shoes. Many of them told us it was the only meal they would eat that day.

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1449852908625-YDM5GZPOOS9MAGUU9K5B/DSC_0933.jpg" alt=" Nick Moore, assisted by Henry, Kara and Christina, teaches a classroom of kids a preventative health lesson. Throughout the week, topics included malaria prevention, hand washing, personal hygiene and more. Here, they are all clapping for a correct " />

Nick Moore, assisted by Henry, Kara and Christina, teaches a classroom of kids a preventative health lesson. Throughout the week, topics included malaria prevention, hand washing, personal hygiene and more. Here, they are all clapping for a correct

Nick Moore, assisted by Henry, Kara and Christina, teaches a classroom of kids a preventative health lesson. Throughout the week, topics included malaria prevention, hand washing, personal hygiene and more. Here, they are all clapping for a correct answer about malaria.

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1449852914369-ZP14F1ZCP54WD945O095/DSC_1057.jpg" alt=" Camp participants were primarily made up of students from St. John's school. Our experience putting on the camp also helped us explore what activities could be enacted on school grounds with limited materials. There are a lot of possibilities!&amp;nbsp;" />

Camp participants were primarily made up of students from St. John's school. Our experience putting on the camp also helped us explore what activities could be enacted on school grounds with limited materials. There are a lot of possibilities!&nbsp;

Camp participants were primarily made up of students from St. John's school. Our experience putting on the camp also helped us explore what activities could be enacted on school grounds with limited materials. There are a lot of possibilities!

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1449852913056-0SJTKJXVZTC50UKT4S2L/DSC_1032+%281%29.jpg" alt=" Rachel Webb, a kindergarten teacher at the Academy for G.O.D., is one of our best entertainers, and taught a drama session to the campers. She helped the kids' moods transform from quiet and reserved to a level of freedom we couldn't have predicted." />

Rachel Webb, a kindergarten teacher at the Academy for G.O.D., is one of our best entertainers, and taught a drama session to the campers. She helped the kids' moods transform from quiet and reserved to a level of freedom we couldn't have predicted.

Rachel Webb, a kindergarten teacher at the Academy for G.O.D., is one of our best entertainers, and taught a drama session to the campers. She helped the kids' moods transform from quiet and reserved to a level of freedom we couldn't have predicted. The joy and freedom they came into was wonderful to witness.

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1449852917455-KYFUG3J3NOSTUKQ6Q7VW/DSC_1066.jpg" alt=" Campers had a wide variety of activities to involve themselves in. Here, they are making beaded bracelets with their friends.&amp;nbsp; " />

Campers had a wide variety of activities to involve themselves in. Here, they are making beaded bracelets with their friends.&nbsp;

Campers had a wide variety of activities to involve themselves in. Here, they are making beaded bracelets with their friends.

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1449852918101-VTQ96QALXDT0FMSKPKRD/DSC_1083.jpg" alt=" We offered both dance and drama workshops to the campers.&amp;nbsp;A group of older girls learned a dance routine during the week. " />

We offered both dance and drama workshops to the campers.&nbsp;A group of older girls learned a dance routine during the week.

We offered both dance and drama workshops to the campers. A group of older girls learned a dance routine during the week.

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1449852920999-HE9FIWWNUYLG3LKFDZE0/DSC_1138.jpg" alt=" The real test of whether or not our counselors are entertaining: how many kids will climb the wall to peer in to watch?! " />

The real test of whether or not our counselors are entertaining: how many kids will climb the wall to peer in to watch?!

The real test of whether or not our counselors are entertaining: how many kids will climb the wall to peer in to watch?!

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1449852924624-VU4OZFLA2WAIZT6WKJTQ/DSC_1684.jpg" alt=" Camp Rule: You need to have medical staff available to help when issues arise. Nick Moore, EMT, followed by Kara Hadley and Christina Fowler, help diagnose the cause of a fever in a camper's younger sibling when his mother showed up at the camp.&amp;nbs" />

Camp Rule: You need to have medical staff available to help when issues arise. Nick Moore, EMT, followed by Kara Hadley and Christina Fowler, help diagnose the cause of a fever in a camper's younger sibling when his mother showed up at the camp.&nbs

Camp Rule: You need to have medical staff available to help when issues arise. Nick Moore, EMT, followed by Kara Hadley and Christina Fowler, help diagnose the cause of a fever in a camper's younger sibling when his mother showed up at the camp.

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1449898710543-VY1WSWEWL3KDN7MR66PY/DSC_1205+%281%29.jpg" alt=" Ben Young is our sports specialist! He had the kids running, jumping, passing, setting, spiking and more--like lessons on good sportsmanship, healthy competition, and safety in play.&amp;nbsp; " />

Ben Young is our sports specialist! He had the kids running, jumping, passing, setting, spiking and more--like lessons on good sportsmanship, healthy competition, and safety in play.&nbsp;

Ben Young is our sports specialist! He had the kids running, jumping, passing, setting, spiking and more--like lessons on good sportsmanship, healthy competition, and safety in play.

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1449852931935-9LW09R0M4CRW543XN7E7/DSC_1968.jpg" alt=" The mark of a successful camp: smiles everywhere! Christina Fowler and Kara Hadley are two immersion trip participants and counselors at the camp.&amp;nbsp; " />

The mark of a successful camp: smiles everywhere! Christina Fowler and Kara Hadley are two immersion trip participants and counselors at the camp.&nbsp;

The mark of a successful camp: smiles everywhere! Christina Fowler and Kara Hadley are two immersion trip participants and counselors at the camp.

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1449852928229-HIU6AGCY6PFDXTTN113C/DSC_1962.jpg" alt=" We were happy to provide the full Camp Skillz experience to the children in Uganda, including t-shirts, lunch, and a quality camp experience. African kids are not worth less than American ones. We are committed to giving all kids the best! " />

We were happy to provide the full Camp Skillz experience to the children in Uganda, including t-shirts, lunch, and a quality camp experience. African kids are not worth less than American ones. We are committed to giving all kids the best!

We were happy to provide the full Camp Skillz experience to the children in Uganda, including t-shirts, lunch, and a quality camp experience. African kids are not worth less than American ones. We are committed to giving all kids the best!

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1449852931728-PVWEGTLG4R7AWVZMQWBD/DSC_1969.jpg" alt=" The &quot;skillz&quot; we try to teach campers about are the kinds of things that make you a good friend: kindness, compassion, honesty, encouragement and more.&amp;nbsp; " />

The "skillz" we try to teach campers about are the kinds of things that make you a good friend: kindness, compassion, honesty, encouragement and more.&nbsp;

The "skillz" we try to teach campers about are the kinds of things that make you a good friend: kindness, compassion, honesty, encouragement and more.

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1449852936191-JEWAALLMPZ37DUJE8DVP/DSC_2021.jpg" alt=" One of the best moments at camp is celebrating the Camper of the Day--someone who set a good example in attitude, participation and sharing. Campers were gifted a special certificate, t-shirt, and the adoration of their fellow campers! " />

One of the best moments at camp is celebrating the Camper of the Day--someone who set a good example in attitude, participation and sharing. Campers were gifted a special certificate, t-shirt, and the adoration of their fellow campers!

One of the best moments at camp is celebrating the Camper of the Day--someone who set a good example in attitude, participation and sharing. Campers were gifted a special certificate, t-shirt, and the adoration of their fellow campers!

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1449852925430-DNSIU5CS07YC8OFUOTGM/DSC_1649+%281%29.jpg" alt=" A group photo of Camp Skillz: Uganda 2016! What a wonderful week for everyone involved.&amp;nbsp; " />

A group photo of Camp Skillz: Uganda 2016! What a wonderful week for everyone involved.&nbsp;

A group photo of Camp Skillz: Uganda 2016! What a wonderful week for everyone involved.

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1449852943374-VA718NG1ZBW4HV0CVQHK/DSC_2092.jpg" alt=" Our camp counselors: a combination of students from the Institute for G.O.D. in the US and East Africa, combined with G.O.D. facilitators and cooperatives. A wonderful crew! " />

Our camp counselors: a combination of students from the Institute for G.O.D. in the US and East Africa, combined with G.O.D. facilitators and cooperatives. A wonderful crew!

Our camp counselors: a combination of students from the Institute for G.O.D. in the US and East Africa, combined with G.O.D. facilitators and cooperatives. A wonderful crew!

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/514ce42ae4b0d2e6d866511c/1449852939838-0WIFNLZ5RBYRP2ZMBODR/DSC_2065.jpg" alt=" A group of campers we will never forget! There was no shortage of smiles during our week. We pray they last awhile, and look forward to not only offering the camp again, but finding further ways to help the children in this area.&amp;nbsp; " />

A group of campers we will never forget! There was no shortage of smiles during our week. We pray they last awhile, and look forward to not only offering the camp again, but finding further ways to help the children in this area.&nbsp;

A group of campers we will never forget! There was no shortage of smiles during our week. We pray they last awhile, and look forward to not only offering the camp again, but finding further ways to help the children in this area.

Photographs by Canaan Kagay

Though we were able to create a wonderful week for these students, their every day reality is far from it. We have partnered with St. John's School to help as much as we can, but we need your help. Visit here for more info.

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