This episode of Meet Houston Missions features Bill Nash, the co-founder of Building Bridges of Hope. Building Bridges of Hope was founded 43 years ago after Bill’s son was miraculously healed from cancer. It is a music-driven mission that seeks to help children overcome difficult lifetime events. They have two primary mission events—Champions Kids Camp and Texas Best Music Fest.
Champions Kids Camp
Building Bridges of Hope’s main mission event today is that they partner with the Carolina Creek Christian Camp near Huntsville to provide children who survive traumatic events such as serious car accidents, illnesses, or other personal losses with an opportunity to attend a camp with kids dealing with similar life events. In the first year (23 years ago), Building Bridges of Hope took 30 children to camp. Champions Kids Camp today is a summer camp that runs from Sunday through Friday and involves over 200 children and volunteers. Kids get to enjoy fun and fellowship with other kids dealing with similar traumatic life events. The camp is for children ages 8-12, however, many kids return to participate as leaders in training from ages 13-16. At the camp, children get to participate in numerous outdoor activities such as:
- Ziplining
- Learning to fish
- Swimming in the pool and the lagoon
- Motorboating
- Playing basketball
After each meal, the children meet in a group to sing songs and learn about Jesus. The camp takes place in July.
How to Help Champions Kids Camp
Building Bridges of Hope relies on scholarships to allow the children to go to camp regardless of their financial situations. Additionally, in order to run Champions Kids Camp, volunteers are needed to fellowship with the campers, teach them activities such as fishing or sports, and provide a safe environment. If you wish to provide sponsorship or volunteer, read more below or visit Championskidscamp.org.
Sponsorships
Every child who attends the camp costs $500.00. They attend via scholarships that are donated or supplied by grants. 40% of the children come from foster care. Building Bridges of Hope depends on individuals, churches and businesses for sponsorships that determine how many children they can take to camp each year.
Volunteers
Building Bridges of Hope relies on volunteers to teach the kids skills and direct events at the camp. It is an opportunity to be a mentor to kids and demonstrate love.
Texas Best Music Fest
Texas Best Music Fest is a festival put together by Building Bridges of Hope to raise money for scholarships and raise awareness of Champions Kids Camp. The bring together musicians from across the country to put on a concert annually in June at Moes Place in Katy, Texas. Visit TexasBMF.com for more information on attending or volunteering to help with this event.
Golf Tournament Fundraiser
In addition to the above, Building Bridges of Hopes has a second fundraiser on October 21st each year which is a golf tournament. The tournament is held at the River Bend Country Club. To volunteer, sponsor, or enter a team contact Building Bridges of Hope by visiting bbofhope.org.
Meet Houston Missions is presented by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., Injury & Accident Lawyers. Host Paul H. Cannon is a partner at the firm.
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