Glen Korstrom
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 13/99) - Long summer days without school are something most kids look forward to throughout the school year.

But once summer comes, there can be uncertainty about what to do.

This is where the Seventh Day Adventist vacation Bible camp steps in.

Each afternoon last week, Pastor Bruce Proud said children ranging in ages up to about 12 years old were invited to come sing, listen to Bible stories and play games in the church's gymnasium.

"I'm here for something to do," said nine-year-old camp participant Julie Pettigrew.

To seven-year-old Brandon Dunkley, the camp was a place to learn about God and play games and hear stories.

His sister Kirsten, 10, said some of the camps she has been to before offer some time to make crafts.

"I try to teach kids an idea of what God's like and instil morals," said Proud.

"(And teach) that church can be fun, meaningful and satisfying."

He said one goal of the camp is for the kids to get along with each other.

"It's about relationships, about knowing where you can go for inspiration."

After the dozen or so kids finished singing different Bible songs, it was time for Proud to tell them a story.

The tale he relayed related to Samson making a promise to abstain from alcohol and other drugs, not to eat pork or other allegedly "unclean" foods and to never cut his hair.

He was told that his hair was a source of strength and that if he ever cut it, he would lose his strength.

After first saying lies about what was the source of his strength, he finally trusted a woman he loved, Delilah, with his secret.

She cut his hair so he could be captured and made into a slave. In the end he retained his strength and was able to kill his captors.

Proud said one of the morals in the story is that a believing in God will give a person more strength than non-believers.

After the story, Proud asked the kids questions for comprehension with prizes of slushies at Wink's.

The group then joined Proud in some group games such as a balloon stomp, scavenger hunt and sports like floor hockey.