Christian Record Services (www.ChristianRecord.org) and Shannon Trecartin, an associate professor in the School of Social Work at Andrews University, came together to create an internship program for master’s social work students at summer camps in 2017. Although the complexities of COVID slowed the growth of the program, they are excited to get things back on track this summer and plan to support camps again and for many years to come.
Timber Ridge Camp in Spencer, IN, a partner with National Camps for Blind Children for more than 40 years, was the perfect spot to kick off the dream to develop the internship program. Trecartin spent that first summer, five years ago, observing and offering counseling assistance to campers and staff as she dreamed about the joint project. In addition, in conversations with camp directors from across the country, Christian Record Services president, Diane Thurber, learned that having a trained social worker at camp would greatly benefit the camp staff.
“Each summer some individuals come to camp with many emotions and challenges to work through,” says Thurber. “The trained counselors can be very helpful in defusing situations and helping campers and staff.”
Christian Record Services, Inc. is an international ministry to people who are blind. The nonprofit was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Lincoln. To learn more, visit www.ChristianRecord.org.