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Doing the Most Good- Alaska
Youth travel two days by ferry to reach destination.
Tatiana Messer (Juneau Corps) and Cayman Glore (Klawock Corps) met at camp this summer and soon became fast friends. |
Through the hard work and dedication of one small Alaskan community, 19 young people attended SAY II Camp at Echo Ranch in Juneau. This began with the efforts of (then) corps officer, Captain Vicki Jackson and carried forward by local soldiers and Captains Ron and Debra Davis. Numerous fundraisers resulted in more than $3,000 being raised towards the cost of going to camp.
Getting to camp from Klawock, located on the Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska, was just the beginning of a wonderful adventure. After riding on three ferries in two days and coordinating transportation with two other corps to move kids, chaperones and luggage, the group arrived in Juneau just before heading off to camp.
Echo Ranch is different than most other Salvation Army camps. The final leg of the journey to camp includes a two-mile hike around the edge of the lake. Once there the kids enjoyed a wonderful week, meeting new friends, enjoying good food, growing in God’s Word and enjoying camp activities. For kids from a small island, horseback riding was the favorite activity!
Captain Debbie Davis shared one camper’s experience. “Before even boarding the first ferry, one young girl was homesick and in tears. After a week at camp, you would never have seen such a happy, joyful kid. She wanted to stay at camp even longer. She is already planning to return next year and bring a friend.”
