Scholarship Camp

It all began in the summer of 1974 ...

...when Mary Claire Neal and Martha Deariso - along with a number of other church members - began a summer ministry to children from Dearing, Thomson, and other areas of McDuffie County.  This ministry is called simply Scholarship Camp.Their prayer was that they would be able to reach youngsters who otherwise would not be able to have the opportunity to go to a summer camp. 

Every summer since, their prayers have been answered as hundreds of 4th and 5th graders have come to White Oak Camp Grounds for a week of fun, fellowship, food, and Christian community.

This summer, Bunnie Walden and her team have continued this ministry which serves between 40 and 50 children each summer. Fifty to sixty adults and youths offer their time and gifts to the music, study, recreation, and fellowship activities of the camp.  The blessings received by those who work at the camp are often referred to as even greater than the blessings these volunteers feel that they give to the children who come to the camp.

Fourth and fifth grade students are nominated by their school teachers for the camp.  Transportation is provided for various locations around the area, and all expenses are paid by church members.  Sunday school classes and women's service groups provide the lunches.

The camp is held the first full week of July from 8:30 AM until 2:45 PM.  Lunch, snacks, singing, devotionals, Bible study, swimming, crafts and recreation fill each day.

Each camper is given a Bible, t-shirt, lapboard and plaque ... and all the love and blessings that we can give them.