Highland Park United Methodist Church > Missions > Outreach Camp for Inner City Youth

Outreach Camp for Inner City Youth

Since 1970 HPUMC has changed the lives of children and youth through outreach camp experiences. We offer our campers a week at either Kids Across America Kamp on beautiful Table Rock Lake in Golden Missouri or a week at Bridgeport’s Urban Camp which is modeled against Kids Across America located on Lake Bridgeport just outside Bridgeport, Texas.

Kids Across America (KAA) is located between Golden and Lampe, Missouri on 380 acres of rolling hills and beautiful Table Rock Lake. KAA was completed in 1991 and every summer it serves 6,000 inner city kids from 41 states representing 95 cities across America. KAA hires a staff of 600 dedicated to Christian character, love for children and youth, athletic skills and proven ability to minister to inner city youth. In addition to the 600 on staff, KAA welcomes 800 urban leaders to experience camp activities alongside their children and youth. KAA campers range in age from 10 to 18. Kids Across America is ranked the #1 urban camping facility in the country. For this summer, all 100 camp slots are full and we are planning on taking 10 Kaleos, urban leaders, with us.

Our own conference camp, Bridgeport, has also seen an increased need to serve urban children and youth. This summer we hope to welcome 268 area inner city fifth and sixth graders for a week of camp experiences aimed at their personal and spiritual needs. Bridgeport offers the same format KAA provides, which includes all kinds of sports such as basketball, football, softball, baseball, ropes courses, group challenge courses, and cheerleading just to name a few.

The Outreach Camp Scholarship Fund not only ministers to area inner city children and youth, it also allows us the chance to build relationships with their families. One of the campers served by the scholarship fund, is the son of Doris Mack. Doris has served as a volunteer, recruiting area inner city children and youth for the past seven years. She is also on staff as our receptionist.

Please prayerfully consider giving to this unique ministry so we may continue ministering to area inner city children and youth. Camp scholarships are $250.00 per child, but any amount is greatly appreciated. Please make your check payable to “HPUMC Outreach Camp Scholarship Fund,” and mail to 3300 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, Texas 75205. For more information please contact Lori Glanzer, 214-523-2261.