In 1985, Chick-fil-A founder and long-time avid community leader, Truett Cathy, established the WinShape Foundation and Camps as a hopeful means of inspiring children with such engaging summer camp adventures that the time spent would literally change their lives.
Since then, WinShape Camps have taken off across the nation, providing lucky participants with more than just your typical camp routine. This truly one-of-a-kind day camp experience is an immensely rewarding adventure, and thankfully, it is again offered this summer in Winston-Salem for kids having completed the first through ninth grades. While encompassing worship, leadership-building, and a variety of skills training, WinShape Camps also unite area churches and other local groups in a common goal: inspiring local youth to reach for the stars!
Changing lives this very summer—while also creating lifelong memories—the camp will be held August 6th-10th at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, with regular camp days from Monday through Thursday, and Chick-fil-A Family Fun Day on Friday of that week to celebrate accomplishments and establish camaraderie. Now in its fourth year in Winston-Salem, WinShape Camp is very much a community endeavor, with partial scholarships available, and local leaders recognize its value for all who are involved.
“The WinShape organization is built on excellence, and offers a first-class camp experience to all participants,” maintains Jade Costen, representing the Chick-fil-A at Thruway Shopping Center. “It is an honor to partner with such a high-caliber operation. Every year WinShape has been in Winston-Salem, the entire community has benefitted.”
While making new friends and experiencing Christian love through Bible study and daily, positive interaction, campers are also learning to recognize—and grow—their own leadership skills. With daily encouragement from everyone involved in the camp experience, and a positive worship setting to strengthen their faith, participants feel their self-esteem and confidence increasing with each day, and their imaginations simply soaring! Through activities such as archery, basketball, cheerleading, gymnastics, soccer, lacrosse, music, painting, and other crafts—all designed for various age and skill levels—everyone is given a chance to explore their own strengths and interests, part of the amazing overall week-long experience.
For Chuck Spong, Executive Director of Love Out Loud and Christmas for the City, it’s important to praise the camp’s mission of uniting community across all lines—whether racial, socio-economic, or generational. “WinShape Camps are one of those chances for both campers and volunteers to come together,” he explains. “The strong content presented and the wildly exciting atmosphere strengthens families, inspires volunteers, and unites our community. While camp takes place for only one week each summer, the relationships that are forged and partnerships that are deepened strengthen our collective efforts to make our city stronger all throughout the year.”
As Senior Pastor of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church—this year’s host site—Dr. Nathan E. Scovens leads a church that’s committed to building community while changing lives. “Our church is excited about the energy in our city, and we consider it a blessing to partner with Chick-Fil-A and Love Out Loud,” observes Dr. Scovens. “Community is stronger when we come together. In times like these, it is refreshing to know that there are affordable programs that will build character and shape winners who are willing to be exposed to the best of human character while having good old-fashioned fun!”
To learn more about the WinShape Foundation and summer camp opportunities, visit them online at winshape.org, register at Winshapecamps.org and select day camps, or call 844-WSCAMPS. For questions in Winston-Salem, e-mail Winshapecampsws@gmail.com or call 336-701-3173. This year’s camp runs from August 6th-10th, 2018, at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, located at 4129 Northampton Drive in Winston-Salem.
