For its third year, Norfield Congregational Church celebrated the waning days of summer with its free, week-long, faith-based summer camp.

The camp was championed by Norfield’s Senior Minister, Bernard Wilson, who ensured its success with patient planning and seed funding. “We opened our campus, put up our tents, and the campers, parents and counselors came,” he said.

“We welcomed 25 campers and 20 teen and adult counselors to the beautiful Norfield Church campus to celebrate the last week before school with faith, friendship and fun,” said camp co-chair Britta Lerner. “We are proud to provide this experience free of charge to any child aged 5-12 wherever they may live or whatever faith they practice.”

“This is our third year and it just keeps getting better,” said Debbie Carrothers, camp co-chair and proud mother of three camp attendees (two counselors-in-training and one camper). “Campers forge new friendships and build their faith through a variety of activities including daily worship rallies, sports, music and arts and crafts. They are unplugged — no electronics — for a full three hours and the benefits are amazing.”

Janet Hoffman, Chair of Christian Education Board at Norfield noted that campers also learn how to give back. “Social responsibility and making a positive difference through our actions is at the heart of this camp,” she said. “During our first year, we gave to the Weston Food Pantry and Goodwill. Our year two project was to collect shoes for Soles 4 Souls — we made a real difference! This year, our campers decorated hygiene bags and filled them with donated self-care items such as toothpaste and body wash. We donated 40 bags to Pivot Ministries in Bridgeport.

For more information, visit www.norfield.org/vbs.