Our Yakama Kids and Camp Jonah
When we asked Pastor Wayne Goodman of the McKinley Indian Church in Toppenish, Washington how we could help with emotional and spiritual needs of the kids from the Yakama Indian Nation, he shared the painful experience of their rejection from other summer camps over the years. For several summers, he had taken these 'at-risk' kids to one camp after another, only to have them sent home or asked not to return at the end of the week. The wounds that resulted not only left sadness, but kindled again some of the deep-seated historical rejection so close to the heart of the Native American nations. |
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The challenges were daunting. Beyond funding, we struggled to find a camp that shared our heart and vision for these kids who had come to mean so much to us. After months of searching and untold polite turn-downs, we connected with our soon-to-be dear friends, Jeff & Becky Duke at Camp Jonah in Trout Lake, Washington. Unlike other camps, they understood and embraced our effort. Their partnership has been amazing, creating an environment of love, support, sacrifice and grace that is unsurpassed. So much so that we all call our week there every summer simply, "Camp Jonah."
A hand-picked, all-volunteer staff of 30-plus converge on Camp Jonah every summer for four days of playing, loving, story-telling, sharing, listening, laughing, and often crying with the 50 or more 4th-9th graders who arrive on the Camp Jonah Bus. Four days of relief from the often debilitating and destructive pressures so many of them face in their homes and neighborhoods. Four days of just being a kid. Four days that can change the trajectory of their life.
Camp Jonah is costly and has been funded entirely through a single church here on the Oregon Coast. Papa's Roast is joining in this effort by donating 5% of our income to this special week of camp. Watch the video: it might just melt your heart, too! If you're interested in donating beyond what we are sharing, hit the button below, select the Camp Jonah Fund from the selections and we'll see that 100% of your tax-deductible donation goes directly to the Yakama Kids outreach at Camp Jonah.
A hand-picked, all-volunteer staff of 30-plus converge on Camp Jonah every summer for four days of playing, loving, story-telling, sharing, listening, laughing, and often crying with the 50 or more 4th-9th graders who arrive on the Camp Jonah Bus. Four days of relief from the often debilitating and destructive pressures so many of them face in their homes and neighborhoods. Four days of just being a kid. Four days that can change the trajectory of their life.
Camp Jonah is costly and has been funded entirely through a single church here on the Oregon Coast. Papa's Roast is joining in this effort by donating 5% of our income to this special week of camp. Watch the video: it might just melt your heart, too! If you're interested in donating beyond what we are sharing, hit the button below, select the Camp Jonah Fund from the selections and we'll see that 100% of your tax-deductible donation goes directly to the Yakama Kids outreach at Camp Jonah.