Day 4 • Harvest Camp: “God Surrounds Us”
And just like that, the final day of Harvest Camp came, as we “look to the mountains.”
Today, we want to thank every parent and guardian who allowed us to minister to your kids this week. It has been a joy and a complete honor to create a space where children can reconnect with God’s creation, cultivate friendships, and get to know Jesus.
We love your kids, and we do not take lightly the trust you placed in us.
Our devotion today was about Mount Zion, and it was the perfect way to finish Harvest Camp.
The actual and historical location of Mount Zion
We learned that in the Bible, Mount Zion is connected to Jerusalem, worship, the Temple Mount, and the place where God’s people would gather before Him. We also talked more about the Psalms of Ascent. These were songs God’s people would sing as they traveled up to Jerusalem for the great feasts of Israel—Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles.
Psalm 121 is the ultimate example of “looking to the mountain.” Three times a year, families would ascend the mountain to camp, sing, laugh, worship, and look forward to time with God.
And our final scripture could not have been better:
“The Lord will keep you from all harm—
He will watch over your life;
The Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.”
Psalm 121:7–8
We reminded the kids that this does not mean hard things never happen. It means that God is with us in all things. He watches over us when we come in and when we go out. He watches over us when we are afraid. He watches over us in the dark. He watches over us when we travel. He watches over us now, and He watches over us forevermore.
That is really good news.
And of course, after devotion, it was time for one more full day at Harvest Camp. So let's hit the playground, go to the forts, go swimming, do crafts, and play putt-putt golf. That’s right, today we all had a turn at putt-putt on the campground course, and of course it was a big hit.
One of the big discoveries today was a beautiful moth we found in God’s creation. At Harvest Camp, a moth is not just a moth. It becomes a lesson in God’s creation, a moment in nature, a group event, and suddenly everyone gathers around, saying, “Look at it!” That is exactly what we love. Kids in wonder at God’s creation.
On our last day at the forts, campers continued their adventures in these woodland mansions and secret hideouts. Have you ever wondered what it is like to be in a Harvest Camp fort? (Check out the video tours of each fort!)
The craft time today was about the gospel bracelet, a colorful, hands-on reminder of Jesus’ love! Each bead tells a part of the story: God made us, loves us, and through Jesus, gives us new life.
The Gospel bracelet uses colors to help tell the story of Jesus:
Black – Sin separates us from God.
Red – Jesus died and shed His blood for us.
White – Jesus forgives us and cleanses our hearts.
Blue – We follow Jesus and grow in Him.
Green – New life in Christ.
Gold/Yellow – Eternal life with God forever.
It is a simple way for kids to remember and share the good news of Jesus.
As Harvest Camp wraps up, a huge thank you to Boone KOA for 20 years of hosting, our incredible volunteers, and the best counselors (most are alumni!). We’re grateful for 26 years of memories and everyone who made this year a success.
Harvest Camp is a ministry of Harvest Equippers Ministries, and we are thrilled with how this camp turned out. It has been an exceptionally difficult year, and we know we cannot do Harvest Camp or our other ministry outreaches without your help.
We are currently planning to return to Ukraine, where we will minister to refugees and soldiers on the front lines of the war. We are also working with hospitals in Ukraine and America, and we recently helped form a partnership between the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Pirogov School of Medicine in Vinnytsia, Ukraine.
This summer, we will also help sponsor three children’s camps in Ukraine, where we have been told that many children have lost their fathers to the war. The need is great.
Please prayerfully consider becoming a ministry partner with Harvest Equippers Ministries. Your donation is 100% tax deductible, and the need has never been greater.
Thank you again for letting your kids come and for trusting us with them, and thank you for helping make Harvest Camp possible.
And remember, “look to the mountains,” (Psalm 121:1-8)