For Mission Camp this year, middle schoolers focused on what we learn in Genesis 1 and 2–that God is our creator, and that we are created in God’s image to be co-creators with God. Being given dominion over the creatures and Earth is about being fellow gardeners and tenders for creation with God.

We spent time learning to appreciate creation with a guided walk with church member Jessica Misterly. We helped pack up food for almost 200 seniors without easy access to food with Pie in the Sky and learned about the importance of Pollinator Gardens for helping to mend creation. This was followed by a trip to Southern Horticulture to purchase pollinator plants for our church’s new pollinator garden.

Wednesday was gardening day and we spent the morning planting our new pollinator garden. Additionally, we packed lunches for Port in the Storm. We also had a fun scavenger photo hunt all over downtown St. Augustine.

Thursday we worked all day with Matanzas Riverkeeper. Our kids spent time on the Litter Getter boat going to islands on the Matanzas River to clean up trash. We also learned to use binoculars and nature journal and enjoyed a swim in the ocean.

The week was topped off with a day of fun and rest (even God rested) at Typhoon Lagoon Disney’s waterpark.

It was a meaningful week full of connection with each other, our creator and creation.