Whether you call it cloud dough, moon sand or oobleck, homemade playdough is soft, squishy and oh-so-satisfying—making it a favourite sensory activity for kids. Last summer, it also made a great science lesson for The Salvation Army’s STEAM camp in Bermuda.

“We made slime using hair conditioner and cornstarch,” says Captain Adriane Cartmell, then Bermuda’s divisional children and youth secretary, and corps officer at West End Community Church in Sandys. “You need to measure the ingredients to get the right consistency.”

As they explored science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM), they built robots, learned about geometry and took a trip to the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Science. The weeklong STEAM camp is one of three new day camps—along with one focusing on creativity and another on sports—offered by The Salvation Army as part of a revamped camping ministry.

“We’ve done camping for more than 50 years in Bermuda,” says Captain Cartmell. “In recent years, we had shifted to vacation Bible school (VBS), but we came to the realization that it wasn’t sustainable.”

A three-hour VBS program wasn’t long enough for parents during the day, but it was too much for tired kids in the evening. Not only that, but it was predominantly church kids who attended.

“So, we decided to take a chance and try something new,” she says. “Day camps allow us to maintain a strong biblical component, while meeting a real need in the community for high-quality childcare in the summer. And what we’ve found is that we’ve got more community kids showing up at camp than just church kids. It’s expanding our reach and impact.”

Another change was shifting from music to all forms of creativity with the rebranded CREATE camp.

“Every child has the creative spark inside of them, and our job is to help them find it,” says Captain Cartmell. “For some of us, that does show up in music, but for others, it doesn’t. How do we engage kids who might not be musical in finding their passion and creativity?”

While they still offered band, choir and timbrels, they also had electives in art, creative writing, video, puppetry, improv and cake decorating, led by local and international experts. At the end of the week, about 50 people attended a final showcase, with a gallery of art projects and a short program, including a puppet show, choir and band recital, and a movie created by the video elective.

“The parents were just floored by everything the kids had accomplished that week,” she says.

Meanwhile, the sports camp also gave kids a chance to try new things, with 10 different sports over five days. Captain Cartmell partnered with several Bermudian athletes, including boxer Clarence Hill, the first athlete from Bermuda to win an Olympic medal; Cup Match cricketer Arnold Manders; and Salvationist Wendell Anderson, who has played rugby internationally, to come and teach the kids.

“Sports teaches independence, teamwork and leadership,” Captain Cartmell says. “It can take you places. We wanted to provide people they could look up to, people who have stayed in Bermuda and can show them there is a future here.”

At the same time as building strong community connections, camp offers an opportunity to build the kingdom—to introduce kids to Jesus and connect them to communities of faith.

“Camp allows us to not just speak about Jesus, but to live Jesus by showing his love for each child,” she says. “For those who come from a positive home environment, camp reinforces some of those lessons. Regardless of where our kids are coming from and what their home lives are like, camp is a place where the love of Jesus can shine.”

For Captain Cartmell, camp is an important investment in the lives of children.

“Camp is important for kids for so many reasons,” she says. “It lets them step outside of their regular lives and just be kids. It helps them make new friendships. It gives them opportunities to create and lead and be encouraged. It provides a safe environment to explore who they are.

“Camp makes a difference in the lives of children and their families. It’s a place where campers, leaders and staff can experience the love of Jesus and be transformed. Can this happen in other places? Absolutely. However, there is something special about camp.”