Blankets For The Kids at Camp Noah

Camp Noah is a week long summer camp supported by Lutheran Social Services for kids in communities that have experienced a crisis or natural disaster. In the past couple years Mount Olivet has visited families struck by horrible flooding in Colorado, as well as up north in Cloquet, MN. Organized by MO member Lisa Hansen, these experiences are transformative for both the children who attend, and the volunteers who are impacted by the pain and resilience exhibited by these young survivors of natural disasters.

Holly Carlson feels called to support this ministry by organizing volunteers to tie the blankets used by the campers during the week. Every child at Camp Noah receives a tied fleece blanket to use and take home at the end of camp. The blankets are wonderful gifts, but more than that, they are a recovery tool for children, providing much needed comfort as they continue to process their disaster and/or trauma experience.

"I am called to serve these camps because I am passionate about helping kids build resiliency and see hope after a traumatic event in life. This is the 3^rd blanket drive I have hosted at Mount Olivet. Every year we have met our goal of making 50 fleece blankets. These blankets are used in activities throughout the week and at the end of the week this is gift to for the kids to keep forever. I am excited to further my call this summer when I join the Mount Olivet Camp Noah team for a week in June!"

You can join Holly tying blankets on April 11, April 19 and April 28 in the Conference Room at Mount Olivet from 6:30pm to 8pm. Fleece donations for the blankets are also welcome (size must be 60x72 inches). Contact Holly (holly.carlson2@gmail.com) if you are interested in helping!

Summer Fun: Camp Noah

Camp Noah is a locally hosted week-long event for elementary-age children whose communities have been impacted by disaster. Camp Noah provides a safe, caring and fun environment where children build resiliency skills within the familiarity of their own communities, using a proven curriculum designed to help children process their disaster and/or trauma experience through creative activities and play. Mount Olivet's team is going to Cloquet, MN June 21-26! As you may recall, the Duluth area experienced massive flooding in 2012—and the effects still linger. Since then, Camp Noah has been bringing hope, healing and wholeness to the affected communities, and it’s finally Cloquet’s turn. Two churches in this community on the St. Louis River and the edge of the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation are eager to host our team and the Camp Noah program.

Because of the location, participant costs and the number of days have been greatly reduced. The cost will now be $260 for the program fee, background check, mandatory training, uniform t-shirt, and transportation, plus six evening meals at your own expense. Lodging and two meals a day are provided, and stays in host homes (as well as at one of the churches) will be available. Carpools will be arranged, and participants will depart the Twin Cities at noon on Sunday, June 21 and return home around 8 p.m. on Friday, June 26. Some scholarships are available to help offset costs.

Camp Noah is a respected and effective model of trauma response in a day camp format. This is a unique opportunity to receive training and experience in the type of environment MCLC hopes to become. Volunteers in this adult-staffed camp must be at least 18 years old, discreet, energetic, caring and work well with children. Online training (five to six hours) and at least two of three two-hour group sessions are mandatory before departure. Volunteers will serve as small-group leaders and assistants, as well as actors/puppeteers.

For more information, contact Lisa Hansen at nodakeric@aol.com.