Spaces Still Available for Camp Hope Starting July 7th - Kingwood

Every summer, a vibrant and transformative event takes place within the Holy Comforter Lutheran Church community—Camp Hope.  This three-week Vacation Bible School is more than just a summer camp; it’s a ministry that embodies the core values of youth leadership, congregational commitment, and biblical literacy.  Camp Hope is where faith comes alive through interactive experiences, where young leaders are nurtured, and where lasting connections are forged within the church community and beyond. Camp Hope is one of our “Living God’s Mission” Ministries because it primarily serves working families and youth outside of the congregation.

At the heart of Camp Hope is its unique approach to leadership. Our camp is youth-led and adult-mentored, which provides for the growth of our counselors, as well as our campers.  Camp Hope, which is planned for the weeks of July 7, 14 & 21 will be Directed by Evan Janacek this year. Evan, a Lonestar College Graduate, and a member of Holy Comforter shares,

While some VBS programs are free, the Camp Hope model focuses on developing young leaders. So Counselors and Managers are paid staff youth leadership positions.  All staff, including counselors in training are required to fill out an application, send in a resume, have an interview, and attend safety training and education. This builds character, teaches career building, and money management skills for young people. This year, we hired 10 counsellors from high school/college and 6 CITs from middle school who have completed sixth grade.

Former Camp Hope Counselor and Church Administrative Assistant Claire Carver will serve as Co-Manager for Camp Hope 2025. Claire, who also grew up with Camp Hope as a camper, CIT and Counselor as a youth commented,

 “we have completed staff recruitment and training to equip the Counselors and CITs with the skills and confidence to guide daily activities and teach over a dozen Bible stories, manage classrooms, and foster a safe, fun community for the campers.”

One of the cornerstones of Camp Hope is biblical literacy. During the 3 weeks of Camp Hope, campers will learn 15 different Bible stories through interactive, hands-on experiences that cater to various learning styles.  This approach ensures that every child has the opportunity to connect with the Bible in a meaningful way.  The 5th grade campers who started Camp Hope in kindergarten will have learned about approximately 75 Bible stories by the time they complete the program.  

Chloe Nelson-Paryag, who held the position of Assistant Manager in 2022 and 2023 and served as Manager for the abbreviated 2024 Camp Hope, remarked, 

"Last year, we were only able to conduct Camp Hope for three days due to Hurricane Beryl and the resultant power outage at the church and surrounding community for nearly two weeks. As we begin another year of Camp Hope, we celebrate the countless lives that have been touched by this ministry and the bright future of our young leaders who continue to grow in their faith and service.  We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the congregation and council for supporting this ministry with generous donations of supplies, time, and prayers, which have been instrumental in the success of Camp Hope.  The unwavering support of the congregation and the community creates a nurturing environment where our youth can grow in faith and leadership.”

 Camp Hope is deeply rooted in the life of our congregation.  The bonds formed during Camp Hope last a lifetime, with campers and counselors gaining leadership skills that benefit the entire church community.  Our congregation’s commitment to Camp Hope ensures that this ministry thrives year after year, creating a strong foundation of support for our young leaders.  It is a living testament to Holy Comforter’s commitment to nurturing faith, leadership, and community.