Rhythm and Song Camp breaks into rap

February 12, 2020 | Focus on Camps | Volume 24 Issue 4
Laura Moolenbeek | Silver Lake Mennonite Camp
Sauble Beach, Ont.
Laura Moolenbeek rehearses a rap written by the boys cabin at Silver Lake Mennonite Camp. By the end of the week, campers were ready to perform the rap they prepared at the banquet before the whole camp. It was amazing to see kids coming out of their shells, and finding common ground in music. (Photo by Karen Cornies)

According to camp counsellor Laura Moolenbeek, Silver Lake Mennonite Camp’s first Rhythm and Song Camp was an incredible week for campers and staff. Seven- to 16-year-olds came with a huge range of musical experience. They brought a wide range of perspectives to each session. The boys cabin chose to write and perform a rap for their counsellors. 

Robert MacGregor, Silver Lake’s assistant director last summer, says, “Silver Lake welcomed a record number of sleepover campers, introduced new camp programs, had a six-night out-trip and invited friends from all over the world to the first Newcomer Family Holiday.” Last summer was also a record year for day campers. “Our gifted staff put on amazing programs for all camp guests,” he adds.

The last night of the Rhythm and Song Camp was the first night of Newcomer Family Holiday. “The campfire brought on a powerful feeling of togetherness,” says MacGregor, “as Rhythm and Song campers performed their vocal and drum talents for our new guests. Seeing kids from different camps smile as they clapped along together captured what Silver Lake is all about. It was awesome to see diverse campers have fun as they built new friendships and connections!” 

According to a parent, “My daughter arrived home from camp healthy and happy. I was so impressed by her story, told with pride on our car ride home, of her watershed moments at camp. She will remember those moments and take them with her as an empowering experience going forward.”

Silver Lake staff gave generously last summer. One staff put it this way: “To be supported by camp is so special, and being embraced by this community year after year is an ongoing life-changing experience that adds an immense amount of joy and connection to my life.”

Another staff member reminded us that, “Most of all, campers should come away happy because the entirety of Silver Lake is a labour of love on the part of those that make it possible.” 

Staff hope every camper will find a home at Silver Lake, with a deep sense of love, joy and connection with creation, God, each other and themselves. We hope campers will be inspired to live socially just, environmentally sustainable and spiritually fulfilling lives.

Wherever your journey takes you this coming summer, may it be a summer of love, joy and connection!

Read more from our Focus on Camps:
Lighting a fire in children's faith
Living sanctuaries
A path towards reconciliation
Jeremy Wiens goes to Snow Camp
'Hi, let's go join the rest of the group'
Assiniboia, Koinonia: Similar but different

Laura Moolenbeek rehearses a rap written by the boys cabin at Silver Lake Mennonite Camp. By the end of the week, campers were ready to perform the rap they prepared at the banquet before the whole camp. It was amazing to see kids coming out of their shells, and finding common ground in music. (Photo by Karen Cornies)

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