SPRING INTO SUMMER at YOUTH BELIEVING IN CHANGE in Lake Highlands
Spring Break begins Friday and will continue through next week for DISD and Richardson ISD students, which means Summer is right around the corner.
Youth Believing in Change Summer camps are registering students for its summer programs now.
The brightly-painted eight-classroom facility on Stults Road in Lake Highlands is used during the academic year for after-school tutoring, early evening meals and an hour of praise singing and worship on Thursday. Nine local schools from DISD and Richardson ISD send students there after school. Camp is open to every child who wants a fun, educational, worshipful day.
The summer program begins at 8:00 a.m. with a light breakfast, challenging games, an hour of praise and worship each day, lunch, then an hour of DEAR (Drop Everything And Read.) In addition, there is tutoring in Math, discussions on Philosophy, and Biblical studies in the “Thirst and Hunger Mania” class for the older campers aged 10 to 14 in 5th through 8th grades.
Teenagers age 15 to 19 are encouraged to volunteer, and college students thinking about becoming teachers, coaches or counselors are particularly invited to consider this camp as a training ground for their future career.
Simon Weaver will be co-teaching the “Thirst and Hunger Mania” class again this year along with YBC Founder Pastor Vincent Gaddis. This will be Weaver’s sixth summer working with YBC, and Vincent’s 22nd.
“I love the summer camp program,” Mr. Weaver, as he is known the campers, admits. “During the school year, there is very little time for teaching and discussing philosophy and the Bible, since we are concentrating on helping our students complete their homework. But in the Summer, we have seven hours with the campers, giving us time to discuss in depth some important concepts.”
Weaver was just working at the front desk of a local 24-Hour Fitness branch when a client invited him to come volunteer at YBC. “I hesitated because I wasn’t sure about working with kids,” he says with a laugh. “But once I got here and met the kids at YBC I was hooked.” He can’t imagine working anywhere else, he says, because he enjoys it so much.
A 2003 graduate of Lake Highlands High School and a student at UNT where he studied Kinesiology, Psychology, Music and French, Weaver admits he hasn’t wandered far from home, but many of his students have. Some are from war-torn countries like Iran and Iraq, others are from Mexico or Nepal. All of them seem happy to be in a program that is joyful and friendly, where everyone respects one-another and helps each-other.
In addition to the daily fun and games and worship and lessons, the campers take field trips to places like the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, the Dallas Zoo, and local nursing homes for the children’s choir to entertain the elderly residents.
Last year 300 students attended the weekly camp and volunteers are encouraged to contact Miss Ida to fill out the paperwork necessary to be ready when the first camper arrives. Registration for campers is also available. Camp is for children from three years old and up.
Mr. Weaver will be there with a big smile to greet each camper, and help them to have the best summer of their young lives.
“Nothing you do for children is ever wasted.” -- Author Garrison Keillor
“Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you will know that the kingdom of God is near.…” Luke 21:29-31
Youth Believing in Change (YBC) is a 501©3 non-profit after school program located on Stults Road in Lake Highlands. It is free for children ages 3 to 17. Volunteers are always welcome. Scouts needing an Eagle Scout project are encouraged to contact YBC. Church groups and individuals are welcome to come and tutor the students from 4:30 to 5:30. Donations are also welcome. Pencils, notebook paper and boxes of tissues are always welcome.
For more information on Youth Believing in Change or to donate, see the website: www.ybcdallas.org or contact the office at 214-692-9242 or e-mail program director Angela Gaddis at angela@ybcdallas.org
YBC has an annual dinner, An Evening of Change, May 4, 2017 from 6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. at Highland Park Presbyterian Church (Elliott Hall) — 3821 University Boulevard, Dallas, 75205. This year's keynote speaker is the new Dallas District Attorney, Faith Johnson. The public is invited to attend. For tickets or more information call 214-692-9242.