Sam McCracken, Executive Director, with one of the attendees of the Camp Rainbow Connection.

Camp Rainbow Makes Going Green Easier for Blackstone

For 22 years Blackstone: Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center especially comes alive with laughter, joy, trust, giving, security, dedication, hope and so much more as campers and volunteers come for Camp Rainbow Connection. This year was no exception.

Sam McCracken, Executive Director, with one of the attendees of the Camp Rainbow Connection.

Camp Rainbow Connection is a week-long respite camp held once in July (July 9 – 15, 2011) and once in August (August 6 – 12, 2011) for individuals with intellectual disabilities. A ministry of the Commission on Disabilities of the Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church, it has been in operation since 1985. In 1989 the camp relocated to the Blackstone Retreat and Assembly Center.

“Having the campers and volunteers from Camp Rainbow Connection at Blackstone is truly rewarding,” said Executive Director Sam McCracken. “Each day while they are here I look forward to being greeted by the biggest smiles and the warmest hearts.”

Campers participate in a variety of activities including Bible class, music, arts and crafts, games, dancing, and special activities. Camp Rainbow is a continuation of Christ’s ministry where campers and staff of all races and religions experience Christian love.

Throughout the week, campers find at the end of the rainbow unconditional love and a sincere gift of respect. For many of the campers this is their only experience yearly being apart from their family or caregiver. The objectives of Camp Rainbow Connection are to demonstrate Christian love with compassion and acceptance; provide opportunities for campers to experience fun, fellowship, and Christian teachings; and experience a week where persons with disabilities can work together as a team.

This year 120 Camp Rainbow Connection campers will come to Blackstone accompanied by 107 volunteers. The theme of this year’s camp embraces Kermit the Frog’s battle with “It is not easy to be green.” Campers believed instead that “It is easy being green,” when green means taking care of God’s creation. Eight sets of recycling bins and planters for herbs were made by the campers and given to the Blackstone Retreat and Assembly Center.

“We were honored and humbled by their gifts,” continued Sam McCracken. “Through their generosity, we will become greener!”

Annual Conference Director of Leadership and Inclusivity Martha Stokes heads Camp Rainbow Connection. She said, “Blackstone is very special to all of us with Camp Rainbow. The staff always goes out of its way to accommodate our campers’ needs and in doing so provides an atmosphere of love and acceptance.”

“Camp Rainbow Connection is also an example for our churches and communities,” said Director Martha Stokes. “Each year, I remind the staff before we leave that their “job” doesn’t end when the campers leave. We are to help our churches and communities see what the world can be like when unconditional love abounds; when differences in appearance, abilities and backgrounds do not matter. If only our world understood and could model the same love and grace what a different world it would be.”