Western Kentucky Youth Camp announced the winners of its scholarship award, which is given to campers who will attend a Christian institution of higher education in the fall of 2022. The scholarship award honors WKYC’s mission of building strong Christians by supporting faith development in a Christ-centered environment. Marcus Williams of Nashville, TN, Seth Miller of Mount Juliet, TN, Lauren VanBritson of Evansville, IN and Mackenzie Wilson of Boaz, KY will each receive a $1,000 scholarship from the camp.

Western Kentucky Youth Camp is delighted to announce the selection of Aarek Farmer as the new Director for 11-13-Year-Old Week, replacing long-time Director, Michael McDavid. Farmer is no stranger to the directorship, having served as co-director of another church camp for the last 11 years. Farmer first attended WKYC as a camper before joining the summer staff as a lifeguard during his four years of college. He later went on to serve as a counselor, Bible class teacher, and regularly takes his own children and/or youth group to camp.

Apart from his volunteer work, Farmer is a professor at Freed-Hardeman University. where he also serves as the Academic Director and Director of their doctoral program in Educational Leadership. Furthermore, he is works at Great Oaks church of Christ as the college and young adult minister and occasionally substitute teaches for Arlington Community Schools when needed. He and his wife Jen have three children and live in Arlington, TN, just outside of Memphis.

Western Kentucky Youth Camp announced today the winners of its scholarship award, which is given to campers who will attend a Christian institution of higher education in the fall of 2021. The scholarship award honors WKYC’s mission of building strong Christians by supporting faith development in a Christ-centered environment. Elijah Boone of Paducah, KY and Mackenzie Welch of Mount Juliet, TN will each receive a $1,000 scholarship from the camp.

“WKYC is dedicated to the development of our students into well-rounded Christians, and we had many excellent applicants who embodied that commitment. The selection process was very competitive,” said Vice President Dr. Landon Clark.

Western Kentucky Youth Camp received a generous $5,000 award from The Lubrizol Foundation to support its Participant Access Program for underserved campers. The goal of this initiative is to remove barriers to access for students from low-income areas or disadvantaged backgrounds so that campers may participate in WKYC’s summer session programming.  

Directors of summer sessions will identify prospective campers who may be eligible for support based on the criteria set forth by the Participant Access Program. Campers attending Wonderfully Made Weekend, a new session designed for individuals with special needs, will also be eligible for financial assistance made available by The Lubrizol Foundation’s grant.

Western Kentucky Youth Camp is offering the public the opportunity to donate funds for a commemorative cabin swing or bunk bed in a new girls' cabin. Born out of a request by a donor to memorialize the life of a loved one using a cabin swing, WKYC formalized these new dedications as part of its Stronger Together Campaign, which invites others to honor, remember, or thank a loved one through this program.  

“Donors can have expressions of care and concern displayed on customized plaques for the life of the bunk bed or swing, which is often several decades. A minimum of $500 is needed to dedicate a bunk bed, and a minimum of $1,000 is needed to dedicate a swing. Visit wkyc.org/honor-and-memorial to learn more about the program. 

Western Kentucky Youth Camp recreational activities and retreats for the fall semester have been cancelled for 2020 in response to government-supplied guidelines and public health concerns surrounding COVID-19. The Board of Directors issued the decision upon review of the recommendations made by the state of Kentucky surrounding social distancing protocols, group size restrictions, and the anticipated public health directives for social gatherings in outdoor spaces.

“These conversations about cancelling camp functions continue to be difficult,” said Board President Jamey Boone. We recognize the need that our campers and congregations have for fellowship and spiritual development. We also want to make sure we follow government-mandated directives and do what we can to make decisions that prioritize the health of our guests.”

Western Kentucky Youth Camp received several generous gifts from congregations in the region over the past year in support of the new cabin construction efforts. In addition to the cabin sponsorship made by Calvert City Church of Christ, the Briensburg Church of Christ and most recently the Benton Church of Christ each made sponsor-level gifts to construct the new cabins. Pennyrile Church of Christ, Farmington Church of Christ, Central Church of Christ, New Concord Church of Christ, and Glendale Road Church of Christ also contributed generously to the campaign. 

“We continue to be grateful for the longstanding support given by the churches in our area. They have big hearts for growing the kingdom, and are integral to advancing our mission of building strong Christians. WKYC’s passion for young people is a passion that all of us share, and we are thankful that churches entrust us with the responsibility of educating their young people about the Gospel,” remarked Board President Jamey Boone.

Western Kentucky Youth Camp summer sessions have been cancelled for 2020 in response to government-supplied guidelines and public health concerns surrounding COVID-19. The Board of Directors issued the decision upon review of the recommendations made by the state of Kentucky surrounding social distancing protocols, group size restrictions, and the anticipated public health directives for summer camps expected to be released in the near future. 

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“This was a difficult decision because the board believes so strongly in the camp's mission of building strong Christians,” said Board President Jamey Boone. "The safety of our campers and volunteers is very important to us, and our decision to cancel camp was made out of an abundance of caution and care for our kids. We look forward to the day when our campers can be reunited with their friends at WKYC." 

Western Kentucky Youth Camp Board President Jamey Boone announced today the winners of a new scholarship opportunity that honors WKYC’s mission of building strong Christians through supporting campers that plan on attending a Christian institution of higher education.

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Sean Janiec of Benton, KY and Zoe Stom of Murray, KY will each receive a $1,000 scholarship from the camp.

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“We’re excited to recognize these outstanding campers for their leadership at WKYC, in their congregations, classrooms, and in their extracurricular activities,” said President Boone. “Both Sean and Zoe are wonderful representatives of WKYC.”

WKYC announced today the appointment of a new President, Treasurer, and four new members to their Board of Directors at their annual meeting held virtually on Saturday, April 18th. Jamey Boone, Youth and Connections Minister at the Lone Oak church of Christ in Paducah, KY, was elected President. Collin Fitzgerald, Lot/Sales Manager at Arrowhead Camper Sales and member of the Northside church of Christ in Mayfield, KY, was appointed to the Treasurer seat, replacing Boone.

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“I’m excited to see the next generation of leadership in action,” remarked outgoing Board President Timothy Teel. “WKYC is in capable hands with Jamey returning to the President’s role. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position. Jamey is surrounded by hard workers and thoughtful leaders, and I’m excited for what is to come.”

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In addition, four seats were filled by the following new members: Ben Doran, of Mayfield, KY; Jeremy Ford, of Benton, KY; Jamie Hobgood, of Lebanon, TN; and Beau Phillips, of Covington, TN.

WKYC is expanding its mission of building strong Christians in a powerful way: for the first time, individuals with special needs will have a weekend dedicated entirely to their spiritual growth. 

Officially known as "Wonderfully Made Weekend," this session is designed to bring these campers into a close encounter with Christ through worship, devotionals, and Bible classes that are tailored to their needs as students. 

Wonderfully Made Weekend was born out of a deep passion for the special needs community held by this weekend's director, Noah Steele. "Putting my love for individuals with special needs into words doesn't do it justice. Their genuine love and joy are contagious and brings out the best in people. Working with these people has forever impacted my life in ways they'll never know.

Having the opportunity to grow with them in our relationship with Christ will be an incredible blessing," he said. 

Western Kentucky Youth Camp has selected David Salisbury as the camp’s next 8, 9, and 10-Year-Old Week Director, replacing Mark Porter, for the summer of 2020.
 
Salisbury first joined Western Kentucky Youth Camp as a staff member of Mark Porter’s week in 2014. Through the years, he volunteered in various capacities as a night watchman, custodian, and as a counselor and Bible class teacher. He later served on the WKYC Board of Directors, where he helped make strategic and operational decisions for the camp.

Western Kentucky Youth Camp names Marion native Trisha Vaughn as its Campaign Director.

Vaughn’s appointment is an outgrowth of Western Kentucky Youth Camp’s (WKYC) long- range envisioning efforts. As Campaign Director, she will work with the Board of Directors to define and create the future of the camp by driving critical transformation projects and organizational branding efforts. Vaughn will also provide administrative support to the Board and Chip Palmer, who was recently appointed Caretaker.

The caretaker position is a natural fit for Chip Palmer, a Webster County native and Lipscomb Bible degree graduate who has spent much of his life serving his community and country. In 2013, Palmer retired from the Army Reserves as First Sergeant after 27 years of service. That same year, he founded the Webster County Community Food Bank, where he serves as Director. Palmer will continue to preach for the Providence church of Christ on a part-time basis after 27 years of full-time ministry once he begins his new role. 

High school seniors pursuing Christian post-secondary education are eligible.

Western Kentucky Youth Camp Board President Timothy Teel announced today the establishment of a new scholarship opportunity that honors WKYC’s mission of building strong Christiansthrough supporting campers that plan on attending a Christian institution of higher education.  

Two $1,000.00 scholarships will be awarded to one male and one female camper. The award will be one-time and non-renewable.