Ten years of Heroes on the Move

Campers from present and past got into the groove and danced together during the 10th anniversary celebration of Heroes on the Move, July 9.

Hub Staff

A decade of fun, sports and devotion was celebrated July 9 at the Heroes on the Move anniversary celebration, located at Saugeen District Secondary School (S.D.S.S.).

The popular sport and vocational bible school day camp, whose campers come from all over North America, invited past, present and future campers to come together for a celebration during the middle of the two-week camp experience.

Heroes in Training day campers, a part of the two-week leadership course, helped organizers run events and did some face-painting to help make the day extra special.

Participant Carter Rye will be starting grade 9 at S.D.S.S. in September and was having a good time running a carnival game for the campers to enjoy during the 10th anniversary celebration.

Rye said his favourite part of camp so far was going on a trip to Tobermory, where campers participated in a ropes course and other team building challenges. He said he has learned a lot in the program and will have more hands on experience with campers during the camp’s second week. “Through the Heroes in Training program I learned to be a better leader. We played a lot of activities that proved our leadership abilities,” said Rye.

Colin Alexander played the role of camp director during the first week and has been involved with Heroes on the Move for almost ten years. He said during the first week they welcomed over 120 campers and they all enjoyed great weather.

When asked why he has been a part of the camp for so long Alexander said that the partnership and camaraderie between everyone involved is a strong factor. “For me I like to see the Americans who come up. This past week we had over 20 U.S. staff come from Raleigh, North Carolina,” said Alexander. “I like to see our Canadian staff and the way we mesh really well together; and the groups work with the kids. Just the relationships that are developed, that’s what I love about the camp.”

Camper Chari Hutchinson has been attending Heroes on the Move for the past six summers and said she learned new soccer skills every year. She is also excited for the new mixture of sports that has been added during the summer 2016 camp. Her favourite memory was when, this past Wednesday, campers shoved shaving cream into Paster Gary’s face.

The Heroes on the Move Camp is a unique partnership between four churches, three local, Shoreline Baptist, Port Elgin Missionary and Southport Pentecostal; and one in the United States, Bay Leaf Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.

It was a battle between Saugeen Shores parents Mary Campbell (left) and Nicole Foster, as they took a few “jabs” at each other on the inflatable jousting arena during the Heroes on the Move anniversary celebration, July 9.

Pastor Gary of Heroes on the Move made many creative balloon characters during the camp’s 10 year anniversary celebration at Saugeen District Secondary School, July 9.