In this edition of Wes's Weekly Wrap Up, Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, challenges you to invest in local children and become a LUM Camp counselor this summer. Please take 59 seconds to watch the video and SHARE with others. For more information on being a LUM Camp counselor, see the article below or click HERE.

Marlena Edmondson is living proof that LUM Camp is changing the trajectory of young lives. 

Marlena’s first experience with LUM Camp was as an 8-year-old girl. Camp was an entirely new experience for her. She had never ridden a horse, never sung silly songs before a meal, never spent time away from home in the nurturing care of fun-loving counselors. Marlena loved it all. LUM Camp was a transformative experience. 

The next two summers, Marlena eagerly came back to LUM Camp as a camper. Then as a teenager, she became a Junior Counselor. As a young adult, Marlena saved up her vacation time throughout the year so she could spend a week serving as a LUM Camp counselor. Today Marlena serves as the LUM Camp director, creatively crafting each LUM Camp to be a life-giving, life-changing experience for every one of the 80 campers. 

Even more, Marlena credits LUM Camp as the catalyst that put her on a pathway toward a career of helping children. Marlena earned a Master of Social Work degree and now works in the Tippecanoe School Corporation as a School Social Worker. LUM Camp helped to broaden the horizon of Marlena’s life, purpose, and impact.

(Check out the three-minute video of Marlena telling you her LUM Camp journey in her own words. To view, click HERE.)

Marlena knows what LUM has known since the 1960’s, when it started hosting a camp for children every summer: a week of camp has remarkable benefits in terms of intellectual curiosity, social skills, motor skills, positive values, spirituality, and overall positive identity. Because of these scientifically-verified benefits of camp, every summer LUM continues to put on a top-notch, weeklong overnight camp for boys and girls, ages 8, 9, and 10. 

This summer LUM Camp will take place July 26-29. The children come from families served throughout the year by Lafayette Urban Ministry. Hosted at Hanging Rock Christian Camp in Warren County, Indiana, LUM Camp involves swimming, horseback riding, arts and crafts, boating, morning chapel, wall climbing, zip-lining, snacks, delicious meals, and diverse and caring counselors.

A key component of the year-round LUM Youth Programs (which also include the After School Program and the 5th Quarter Summer Learning Program), LUM Camp is one of the premier summer camp programs available to children anywhere. LUM Camp is a scholarship-based camp, meaning we only invite children whose parents are not able to pay for the actual cost of camp. The actual cost is more than $200 per camper. We ask the campers’ parents to pay $5 per child and ask our generous donors to cover the rest.    

With so many children eagerly awaiting their chance to attend, would you like to give the gift of LUM Camp – investing in both their short-term fun and long-term life skills?  Who knows? There might be another little Marlena Edmondson attending LUM Camp this year.

Plan to make a difference in the lives of local children, join Marlena's leadership team at LUM Camp 2022, and receive a $200 stipend. LUM Camp is a week-long, overnight camp program for low-income children from 8 to 10 years old.

Counselors are needed from 11 a.m. Monday, July 25 to 4 p.m. Friday, July 29. LUM Camp counselors must be:

To learn more about becoming a LUM Camp Counselor, click HERE.

Last Friday, Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, attended the Taste of Ramadan event sponsored by the community members of the Islamic Society of Greater Lafayette with the Purdue Muslim Student Association. Wes was honored to share with the members in the breaking of their daily fast with prayer and a wonderful meal, and learn more about the customs and traditions of Ramadan. As a part of the celebration, Wes was presented with a $2,000 gift to LUM from Dr. Humaira Gowher, chairperson of the Islamic Society of Greater Lafayette Board of Trustees (pictured). LUM is grateful for the generosity and support from the local Islamic community especially from the Islamic Society of Greater Lafayette and Purdue Muslim Student Association -- and sends warm wishes for Eid al-Fitr with peace and prosperity to all. Eid Mubarak!

Outreach is an important part of the mission of Lafayette Urban Ministry; and members of the LUM professional staff actively seek opportunities to engage with and educate people on a variety of issues. Directors of the various LUM programs are well-informed on social and economic issues and are passionate about helping raise awareness in the local community on critical issues affecting low-income families.

For more information on LUM outreach, click HERE.

HUNGER HIKE | Sunday, September 18 at 1 p.m. | Riehle Plaza, Lafayette, IN |

PORT of HOPE – the Immigration Clinic Fundraiser | Thursday, November 3 at 5:30 p.m. | Lafayette Brewing Co., Lafayette, IN

TURKEY TROT 5K Run | Thursday, November 24 at 8 a.m. | Celery Bog Nature Area, West Lafayette, IN

Community THANKSGIVING Feast | Thursday, November 24 at Noon | Central Presbyterian Church, Lafayette, IN

JUBILEE Christmas | Saturday, December 10 | All Day | Events at 27 Locations in Lafayette/West Lafayette, IN