Brandon Westgate and Jeri Lynn Rogge – Ward, Colorado … Many exciting things are happening this year at Glacier View Ranch (GVR), not the least of which is our summer camp program. With the addition of a few new activity offerings, including a baking class, digital photography, and a drama class, the choices for our campers to engage in new experiences are expanding!
We are also thrilled to announce that we are bringing blind camp back to GVR this summer. This week is dedicated to those who have low vision or no vision and have a desire to interact with others with similar life challenges. We can only make this possible by having a strategic partnership with Christian Record Services for the Blind.
Jeri Lyn Rogge, director of editorial and outreach ministries for Christian Record Services Inc., had this to say: “National Camps for Blind Children (NCBC) ministers to blind children and adults, and it’s a joy to welcome Glacier View Ranch as one of eight partner locations for the 2024 summer camp season.”
NCBC offers scholarships, enabling campers to attend at a minimal cost. “We’re grateful for partners, such as Glacier View Ranch, that recognize the potential for eternal impact in the lives of individuals who attend blind camp. While we want campers to have so much fun that they’ll invite their friends to join them next year, our greatest hope is they will learn more about Jesus and His love for them,” said Rogge.
Speaking from experience of facilitating blind camp for four years at a different conference’s camp, Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) Youth Department director Brandon Westgate said, “Blind camp is such a unique opportunity for our campers and staff to make real human connections. Summer camp staff are always amazed by the abilities of people with limited vision. When our staff witnesses how well these campers engage with all the camp activities, including riding horses, swimming, rock climbing, and yes, even archery, our staff cannot help but be impressed.”
We are thankful that we can facilitate a special week for members of the blind community to network with others and have an amazing week filled with adventure at GVR.
The age range for GVR Blind Camp is 8-65, so it’s not just for kids. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to minister to a segment of our community that is often overlooked, and we at RMC are grateful for the partnership with Christian Record Services to make this a reality for our campers.
To register for blind camp, or any other week of camp this summer, visit rmcyouth.org
—Brandon Westgate is the RMC Youth Department director, and Jeri Lyn Rogge is the editorial and outreach ministries director at Christian Record Services, Inc. Christian Record Services, Inc. is an official ministry for the blind community of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America. Photos supplied.
