Urban Update

I posted last week about the Olympics-themed week Michael, Dana and Albert (UrbanPromise's three junior high after-school program directors) created and implemented. Thought we'd share some pics!


Albert (center, grey sweatshirt) warming up the crowd by leading them in songs. The campers were grouped as mixed camps...no pitting one camp against another this week.
Each group had an animal-based name (as they couldn't be called by their camp names) and made posters and group "chants" for lack of a better word on their first day.
The boys lined up for their turn at "Knock-Out". Girls were grouped at the other hoop.
Gathering round again for directions for their next game. Rowhouses in background sit on South 4th Street, which is where Mike's ASP is located.
Getting pumped up for games! The graffiti on the wall reads "6th and Ferry", again, the street names where the camp is located.

Mike wrapped up the week's theme of "One" by focusing on being one with God the Father, and with our earthly families. Dana is on his left hand, Albert on his right, to demonstrate how we're all family in Christ.

The week was very successful, the kids had a great time and were challenged by the Word they heard each day regarding community and becoming "one". It turned out to be a great learning experience for them each to experience each other's camps. The most obviously different camp for them to experience was coming to Mike's southside site. The "poop factory" there was working overtime that day, and the air was full of indescribable smells, as it usually is. It was so bad even Michael noticed it and he's become so used to it that it rarely bothers him any longer. Kids from the east camp were gagging, covering their noses and overall were just shocked by it. Their director, Dana, used it as a good teaching opportunity, pointing out that they were there just for a short visit, but encouraged them to imagine how the kids who live there feel.

Mike, Dana and Albert worked so hard at putting this week together and it showed. Their creativity, love for their kids and desire to grow community within UrbanPromise showed in everything they did that week. These kids are blessed to have them!

Coming up: Spring Break Trips! More on that later...