Camp Penuel:
Building the Kingdom,
Rebuilding Lives

By David Hellige - ETC Staff Writer

Fun, friends and experiences. Traditionally, these are the things that kids think of when they go off to camp. They mingle with other kids, doing things they may not be able to do at home and they come home remembering their awesome experiences and with a list of new friends to talk to. However, many kids aren’t able to share in these experiences… because they live in the inner city, in abject poverty and don’t have many of the opportunities that we so often take for granted. The solution? Camp Penuel.

What is Camp Penuel? It’s a no-cost camp that gives these underprivileged children the chance to experience a fun-filled week in a close and Godly environment. In its 34 years of operation, Camp Penuel has seen over 57,000 children come through its Ironton, MO, gates. And according to Rev. Harry Douma, the founder of the camp, about half of those children accept Christ for the first time.

 Kids all over the country have come to love this camp, enjoying the break from their hard life on the streets. As kids who are often surrounded by prostitution, drugs, gang warfare and more, Camp Penuel serves as a refuge from the harsh realities of their lives and lets them be what they are: Kids.

“Penuel” means “face of God,” as written in Genesis 32 and exists not only to provide a brief reprieve for these kids, but to also allow them to know Jesus Christ as their lord and savior.

These efforts have been so successful that the camp has been able to expand into two other locations –Eldred, PA, and Esparza, Costa Rica. Because the camp is free to those who attend, it’s independently funded by a number of beneficiaries, including former campers who have become successful and have never forgotten the role that the camp played in their lives. Other means of underwriting Camp Penuel include various fundraisers, such as the annual Spring Banquet, held this year on Saturday, April 14th, at the Holiday Inn at 6921 Lindbergh in St. Louis.

For more information on Camp Penuel and how you can help, visit Camp-Penuel.org or contact Rev. Harry Douma via e-mail at camppenuel@yahoo.com.