Monday, May 16, 2016
AUSTINTOWN
Falcon Camp, a six-week, Monday-through-Friday, free summer lunch and enrichment program will return June 13.
Children who have finished kindergarten up to fifth-grade students will be welcomed to Austintown Elementary School from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for religion-based learning, fun, food and more.
This free service is directed by Gabby Butcher and her mother, Jamie Butcher, both Austintown residents and Tabernacle Evangelical Presbyterian Church patrons.
“It allows us the ability to teach students about the Bible where they might not get that at home,” said Gabby, 19. “So we base our whole camp on that.”
Gabby, a Westminster College student, began volunteering for Falcon Camp in 2009 and took over soon after.
Jamie said Gabby’s faith has been the driving force behind her mission to spread the good word.
“We all have very different gifts that God has given us, so we work with each other to do his work,” Jamie said.
Gabby said her upbringing in Tabernacle Evangelical Presbyterian Church has instilled in her motivation to spread a religious education and guide children spiritually.
“I love it – the life of knowing Christ,” she said.
Parents can register children at http://www.austintownfalconcamp.org/.
Although the camp is Christian based, Gabby said it is open to anyone – even people outside of the Austintown community.
“It’s not just a religious target,” she said. “We encourage everyone to come. We just want you.”
Everyone includes volunteers, which Falcon Camp needs.
The volunteer work, Gabby said, is not only an opportunity to work with others in doing a service for the community but also a chance to learn leadership skills and become a mentor.
“It’s a cool opportunity to see the kids grow and see something you do change lives,” Gabby said. “You get to make a difference and have fun while you do it.”
Individuals wishing to volunteer are asked to call 330-559-6653.
As Falcon Camp draws in more children for its summer program, Gabby said she doesn’t want it to grow so big that children won’t get the same amount of individualized attention as before.
“It’s really about quality, not quantity,” she said.
Jamie said despite the growth, Falcon Camp is always able to find what it needs.
“Churches step up all around the Austintown area, and I am just so amazed at that,” Jamie said.
Another service Falcon Camp receives free of cost is lunch for campgoers.
In working with the schools and Tabernacle Evangelical Presbyterian Church on Raccoon Road, Falcon Camp directors receive an extension of a free lunch program provided by Austintown schools.
“In the summertime, there are some really hungry kids. Thanks to this collaboration with the school, we are hopefully getting them fed as much in the summer as they are during the school year,” said the Rev. Rick Stauffer, Austintown Township trustee and pastor of Tabernacle Evangelical.
According to a Falcon Camp news release, the Austintown Board of Education offers a free summer breakfast and lunch program for students up to age 18. The breakfast is served at the elementary school from 7:45 to 9 a.m. and the lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.