Praise Children’s Camp: Telling the Stories of God’s Goodness
What happens when 30 children from across our diocese spend a weekend at Camp Stevens? Joy gets louder, friendships form fast, and God shows up everywhere they look. From January 17–19, these 30 children gathered for the 3rd annual Children’s Camp–PRAISE– for a weekend rooted in joy and community. Campers in grades 3–6 came together from many different churches and explored what it means
to praise God by noticing God in the world around them.
Our time together was guided by Psalm 105, which calls God’s people to remember, shout praise, and tell the stories of God’s goodness. Based on a wonderful lectionary for children called God’s Word, My Voice by Lyn Zill Briggs, the Psalm is anchored by a repeated chorus:
“Don’t forget what God has done. Tell the stories of God’s goodness.”
Throughout the weekend, campers returned to the heart of this message again and again.
Through worship, storytelling, music, art, games, dancing, and small group conversations, campers reflected on where they see God at work in nature, each other, and themselves–discovering that God is not far away or difficult to find. Instead, God meets us wherever we are—on the hiking trails of Camp Stevens, around a campfire, in shared laughter, and in moments of quiet reflection.
Throughout the weekend, hands-on activities helped bring PRAISE to life in playful and meaningful ways. Campers participated in a scavenger hunt to create nature banners, gathering leaves, sticks, and found objects to proclaim God’s goodness through the beauty of creation. During candle dipping, campers crafted candles of all shapes, each with a wooden base. As each candle took shape, they reflected on how we carry God’s light with us and share it with others. Laughter and movement filled the camp during games like Capture the Star and Gaga Ball. Campers played in the treehouse, journeyed through the labyrinth, and explored the names of God with watercolor sunsets and a praise poem. Perhaps the favorite activity was creating PROCLAIM Pins—over 300 decorated clothespins that campers swapped, shared, and secretly placed on one another. This simple activity became a joyful expression of encouragement and connection, reminding campers that praise can be shared quietly, creatively, with only a word or two, and often when we least expect it.
One of the most sacred moments of the weekend was a sunset hike that culminated in worship at the peak. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, campers sang, prayed, and reflected together,
surrounded by creation. This worship was followed by a taco dinner that led to a glowstick dance party. The evening was a powerful reminder that praise is not confined to buildings or schedules—God met us on a mountain, at a table with good food, and a room of dancing glowsticks.
As the weekend came to a close, campers left Camp Stevens carrying new friendships, meaningful memories, and a deeper relationship with God. PRAISE Children’s Camp was a living expression of Psalm 105—a joyful reminder to remember what God has done, to share those stories boldly, and to praise God with glad hearts.
“Don’t forget what God has done! Tell the stories of God’s goodness!”
Psalm 105
From God’s Word, My Voice by Lyn Zill Briggs
We’ll thank you, God, whenever we pray.
We’ll let everyone know what good you have done.
We’ll sing songs of praise when we tell each other the stories.
We are glad we turned our hearts toward you.
We always turn toward you and your strength,
And look for your face wherever we are.
“Don’t forget what God has done.”
“Tell the stories of God’s goodness.”
You are part of God’s family–
Children of Abraham and children of Jacob.
Everyone who wants to know God or comes to know God should live happy lives.
Go find God; you don’t have to look very hard.
God’s face is in the faces of those he loves.
Look at them with God’s eyes and you’ll see God’s face.
“Don’t forget what God has done.”
“Tell the stories of God’s goodness.”
You never forget the promise you made to your people,
The promise you made for thousands of generations of families.
The promise you made with Abraham,
And then again with Isaac, and again with Jacob.
It’s an everlasting promise with God’s people.
“Don’t forget what God has done.”
“Tell the stories of God’s goodness. Alleluia!”