Camp Inspires Faith, Mentoring Program Transforms Lives

Chris Burgin | Founder and CEO

Summer camp is more than just a getaway — it’s a life-changing experience. At Allies, camp is the beginning of something bigger: an ongoing journey of mentorship that brings lasting transformation. When you send orphans and vulnerable children to camp, you’re not just giving them a week of fun. You’re giving them hope, healing, and the opportunity to encounter God’s love in a powerful way.

Many of these children come from backgrounds of deep trauma — abandonment, abuse, or neglect. Stability is not something they’ve known. But for a few days at camp, they get to experience simple joys: the smell of a campfire, roasting marshmallows, laughing with friends. More than that, they hear about a Father who will never leave them.

One teenage girl in Costa Rica shared her powerful experience:

“At night, when we had the campfire, I spoke to God, but it felt like I was demanding answers. After that, a volunteer approached me and she gave me the exact answers to the questions I had asked Him. She helped me see that God has better plans for me.”

And it doesn’t stop there. Through the Allies Mentoring Program, these children continue to receive monthly visits from the very mentors they met at camp. Because discipleship isn’t just a moment — it’s a journey. And mentorship IS discipleship. Camp may be where a child meets Jesus for the first time, but your support ensures they continue growing in faith, healing, and love.

How many children can we send to camp this year? Let’s make it happen — together.

These orphans in Ukraine had fun in the outdoors with friends.

Building Brighter Futures, One Lesson at a Time

Curriculum That Nurtures, Guides, and Empowers

Every month, Allies leaders and volunteers around the world are using curriculum created by Allies to mentor and empower orphans and vulnerable children.

Thanks to your partnership, in-country teams are equipped with vital lessons — like first aid, money management, and violence prevention — to help children thrive. These materials not only educate but also protect, guiding children toward a brighter, safer future.

Take a look at these moments from recent Allies Mentoring Program (AMP) visits, where your generosity is making a lasting impact!

Money Management

Teaching life skills is a big part of AMP, and money management is at the top of the list. Before orphans go into the world on their own, they need to understand budgeting and saving as well as wise giving and spending. This curriculum also shows children the difference between needs and wants.

Clean Water

“Clean Water” teaches the basics like the importance of handwashing, the dangers of dirty water, and how to create a simple water filtration system – critical knowledge for many countries with AMP – including Cambodia where this boy lives.

Violence Prevention

Violence prevention educates children about emotional, verbal, and physical abuse. These children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo learned how to stand up to bullies and how to recognize unsafe situations and seek help from trusted adults.

Intellectual Development & Creativity

Inspired by history’s greatest inventors, children are encouraged to dream big, think creatively, and believe they, too, can change the world! The mentoring program helps orphans see their future differently and fills them with hope to dream!

First Aid

In the lesson titled “Superheroes: First Aid - Saving Lives Together,” children learn how to be a hero through essential first aid techniques such as treating minor wounds, managing emergencies, and effectively calling for help

Child Abuse Lesson

Teaching children about strangers and the threat of kidnapping is just one way Allies works in human trafficking prevention. This lesson in Vietnam also included helping children understand safe versus unsafe touching.

Take a Trip You’ll Never Forget

There’s still time to sign up for the trip to Peru on October 17-26. This is a chance to see the beauty of Peru and the work by our Allies teams and how they are serving orphans and disadvantaged children there. We hope you can join us for this life-changing experience. Go to www.alliesyouth.org/trips for more information.

Join A Trip

Calling All Cell Phone Users

A benefit of today’s technology is that we get to show you the impact of your partnership through photos and videos on a regular basis. Unfortunately, some of our area leaders lack quality phones — but maybe you can help. If you have any gently used iPhones with good cameras that you no longer need, you could donate them to Allies! For drop-off times in Mansfield, go to www.alliesyouth.org/needs.

Check Drop-off Times

Did You Hear?

Generous supporters like you made it possible for the second community center to be built in Peru!

This is a safe space for vulnerable children in Chinchero to learn, read, and grow!