Through $500,000 in donations from Oklahoma City business and community leaders, Shiloh Summer Camp, which serves 500 inner-city youth each summer, recently purchased the 47-acre tract of land on which the camp resides near NE 70th and Santa Fe. Since its founding in 2001 Shiloh has leased the land through a partnership with Eagle Ridge Institute.
To celebrate the occasion, Shiloh will host an announcement and facility tour Monday, May 24th at 10:00 a.m.
Donors include Chesapeake Energy, David and Kim Rainbolt, David Hudiburg, David and Myrna Lightfoot and Ralph and Helen Mason.
Stephan Moore, Shiloh executive director, is grateful for the support received from the community through the fundraising process.
“It has been a longtime dream to officially acquire this property and for the fundraising to be completed in just four months is an enormous leap for the ministry. I do believe there was divine intervention in allowing this to happen so quickly.
Through the generosity of our gracious donors, we are now able to move forward purposefully to advance the mission of Shiloh, better serve our campers and staff in the summer and extend programming to impact the community year round.”
Since its inception in 2001, Shiloh Summer Camp has provided day camps for thousands of at-risk children in the greater Oklahoma City area. The week-long, Christian-based camps accommodate up to 80 campers per session and provide a safe-haven for children to learn and grow; creating promising futures from often unfortunate situations. By rebuilding confidence and self-assurance Shiloh is sowing the seeds of hope for a brighter tomorrow.
“Only a seven minute drive from the homes of thousands of our central-city kids, Shiloh is truly Oklahoma City’s new backyard,” said David Lightfoot, vice president of Lee Properties. “Stephan Moore has a tremendous love for people as well as the qualifications necessary in camping ministry to really make Shiloh thrive in the coming years. The camp is a genuine blessing to kids and families from all over Oklahoma City.”
Targeting disadvantaged children, between the ages of 8 and 16, Shiloh strives to elevate the vision of youth by renewing optimism and fostering life transformation. Through opportunities such as sports, Bible study, group-building exercises and art, the camp serves as an outlet for children to make healthy, new relationships while addressing real-life situations and obstacles.
“During their camp experience campers encounter things they might not ever be able to experience in their daily lives,” Moore said. “From horseback riding to multiple sports, Shiloh is a true adventure for them. Each activity restores their confidence, ability and positive attitude. Camp is just one week long, but it definitely impacts our campers forever.”
Martha Burger, Chesapeake senior vice president – human and corporate resources said, “As an organization administering to our community’s underprivileged youth, Shiloh has successfully facilitated a culturally relevant environment serving as an excellent model to our city and our country. Many young people need a place to turn to in times of trouble and temptation. The multiple lives changed from Shiloh are a priceless benefit to the community, serving as a hand of hope to children in need.”
Shiloh recently completed two phases of construction including an amphitheater, rope courses, pond and outdoor basketball court. Future plans include a more than $900,000 renovation, transforming Shiloh from a summer program to a year-round, state-of-the-art multi-use facility. New amenities will include multi-purpose auditorium, aquatic facility, chapel, arts center and guest lodge. Upon completion, Shiloh Summer Camp will be the only metro area facility available to organizations, businesses and at-risk youth.