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What is it like to be on staff?
"Sawyerville is an opportunity to form amazing relationships that will last a lifetime and to bring joy into these children's lives. I was eating supper yesterday, and Vermesia (one of the campers) called me from Sawyerville just to talk. Simple, yet beautiful moments like that bring me back each year. I have been on the Sawyerville staff for four years, and it has completely changed my life and has even inspired me to become a teacher. ... I have to say that I am completely addicted to these beautiful children, and I would not be complete without this camp to go to every year." -Jenny Phillips (read more)
"It was amazing to see throughout the week that nobody on staff seemed to care that they were waking each morning at the crack of dawn, or that they had not had a hot shower since leaving home, or even that someone thought that it was cute and funny to mix up all of the Pop-Tarts. Nobody cared about these things because it was evident that each and every staff member wanted to be at Sawyerville with all of the kids." -Molly Dwyer (read more)
"Sawyerville is a place where we can share love with people
that are less -Trey Kennedy (read more)
"Even though I was tired every morning because I stayed up too late talking with the staff each night, the smiles on the campers’ faces each morning was more than enough to get me through the day. God was present in a very real and tangible way that week, more so than I have felt in a long time." -Jack Alvey (read more)
“As I stood in a crowded, noisy, non-air conditioned gym trying to catch my breath and my wits, it struck me – my heart was at peace. Sawyerville Work Project was everything promised and more. It was hot, frustrating, physically and emotionally challenging…. and the highlight of my summer. The irony of finding peace amongst such stress and chaos cannot be explained by for grace.“ - Amanda Ward
“Speaking from my own experience, I believe that Sawyerville Day Camp has achieved something much greater than itself in its eleven running years. The kids look forward to going every year and are sad to leave when Saturday comes. The community and children receive books, clothing, and other necessities all as donations from different providers. Nothing delighted me more than seeing the each kid's face light up when presented with so many options of activities such as arts and crafts, tie dying, beading, and basketball.” - Laura Dixon (read more)
“Serving on staff taught me to see life in a different way and to realize what exactly I was doing there. One of my favorite memories is our daily bus ride to the pool in Madison County. The bus was not only filled with a group of campers and staff, but with the relationships that form between us when the Holy Spirit intervenes. ...At first glance, the bus appears to be nothing more than a random cluster of people; however, when taking a closer look, one will discover that beneath this chaos lays a rhythm –a heartbeat that runs through every soul on the bus. While campers and staff laugh, play, dance, and sing together, two different worlds greet each other, and God’s Word continues to spread. “ – Kathryn Kendrick
“As we opened the doors to the camper’s registration on Sunday afternoon, a flood of young children came into the hot gymnasium. What I saw next truly set the tone for the week: numerous campers ran to their counselors from years past and jumped into their arms. The Sawyerville Work Project has been investing in the lives of Hale County children for more than a decade. The trust to build those close relationships has been earned and fostered over the years. This ongoing relationship makes all the difference.” - Brad Landry (read more)
“As a coordinator for the Sawyerville Work Project for the second year and as registrar for its campers, I felt I had a good sense of how the week would run and an idea of what to expect. On one hand, I was right. When it came to schedules, registration, activities and events I was right on target. What I was unexpectantly overwhelmed with was the outpouring of gratitude, joy and laughter. These familiar sounds filled our days as the children of the Black Belt engaged in summer activities, community with one another and relationship with our young people from the Diocese. To see familiar faces returning from last year and the enthusiasm these children feel about "camp" is overwhelming. I am truly blessed to be involved in such a powerful expression of God's purpose for us and realization that it is in the giving that we receive.” –Georganne Perrine |
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