Anyone entering the Luverne United Methodist Dei Center any time during the four weeks of summer camp was in for a whole lot of excitement.

Anywhere from 30 to 50 children attended each week, running around, laughing, bouncing balls, singing, dancing, and creating art, according to LUMC Youth Director Morgan Wilhm.

“This means that children all around our community had a safe place to play, create, learn, and have fun,” Wilhm said.

“We ran four different weeks of summer camp. Our first week was called ‘Passport Around the World’ where the kids learned about the food, language, art, sports, and games from different areas of the world,” she explained. “International students from Troy University came and shared about the countries they were from and taught the children basic words and phrases in their language.”

The second week was a “Music, Arts, and Drama” week, with the last day of camp culminating in 150 people watching the children put on a production where they performed the songs, dances, and skits they had learned. The artwork completed during the week was also displayed in the “Art Gallery.”

“The final two weeks was our sports camp,” Wilhm said. “Basic skills were taught in basketball, baseball, soccer, and volleyball. The children started each morning with stretches and then learned the Bible verse and theme for the day.”

Wilhm said that ‘huddle times’ allowed the kids to study a Bible story as well as famous athletes who have overcome various challenges.

“A new element to sports camp this year was basic nutrition,” she said. “The children were taught about the different food groups and how to make healthy choices in their eating. The last day of sports camp consisted of a lunchtime basketball game where children played a game for their parents to watch. The girls who did cheerleading during the week performed a half time show for the parents as well.”

“Luverne and the surrounding area is full of amazing kids, and we were so blessed to spend time with them this summer,” LUMC Pastor Dr. Ken Jackson said. “If your child missed out on the opportunity, have no fear — We will be offering camps again next summer.”

In the meantime, LUMC offers a weekly children’s program. Sunday mornings at 10 a.m., children meet for Sunday School where they learn to “LIVE B.I.G.”

“Our Wednesday night children’s program will start back in August,” Jackson explained. “Wonderful Wednesday’s meets at 6 p.m.”

For more information on the activities and ministries of the Luverne United Methodist Dei Center, contact Morgan Wilhm at 335-3885 or visit www.luverneumc.com.