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Tell Us Your Story: Featuring- Miriam De Jong Service and Leadership Training (S.A.L.T.) Coordinator PDF Print E-mail

litso9014How long have you been a part of Camp Tall Turf (CTT) and in what capacity?
I first began working at CTT in the summer of 2005 where I served as the Leader In Training (LIT) Coordinator. I then came on as year-round staff in the fall of 2006 as the S.A.L.T. Coordinator, and I’ve been here ever since.

How were you first introduced to CTT?
I became involved in Urban Youth Ministry at Roosevelt Park Community Church. Through my involvement there I became aware of other urban ministries in the city, including CTT. In fact, a student who I was working with there became involved in the summer LIT program. While working there, I also met Denise Fase who recruited me to work with the LIT program in 2005.

What do you like the most about working in Urban Youth Ministry?
The people!!!

What is your favorite part of CTT’s LIT program?
Getting to know teens and seeing how God transforms their lives. I am completely privileged to be a part of that process.

How have you changed or grown as a person and a Christian from working at CTT?
I think it has challenged me to have a deeper understanding of justice and reconciliation, specifically how you live that out in your daily life. Also, the students who I have had the opportunity to work with have challenged me to grow in my faith immensely through their questions, struggles, and triumphs. I have been incredibly blessed to be a part of the CTT family.

What is your funniest CTT memory?
Hmmm…
way too hard to choose just one. I would have to say the many road trips we have taken with the LITs were filled with humorous moments. It’s amazing what happens to people when they've had very little amounts of sleep, are overloaded on sugar from too many gas station convenience store purchases, and are creating their own entertainment for a VERY long van ride.

What are you most looking forward to in the LIT program this summer?
I'm looking forward to getting to know the new students who will be a part of the program, as well as seeing how returning students continue to grow in their leadership skill and abilities. I'm also really looking forward to returning to the Perkins Foundation in Jackson, MS. Each summer this trip proves to be a life-changing, formational time for our teens. And of course, getting to work with my "twin" Javonna Allen, again.

 
WORK Program Visits Grand Rapids Children's Museum PDF Print E-mail

work003029A trip to a Museum is a fine activity for a winter day and the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum is a great choice for kids. Tall Turf’s Saturday morning W.O.R.K. program headed out on Saturday, March 5 to do just that.

The Children’s Museum features many fun exhibits such as the Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles, Mirror Magic, and the Spin Table as well as educational exhibits like the Mercantile Wee Bank and Funstruction. The current featured exhibits are the Happy Animal Clinic which allows children to play the role of veterinarians as they learn to care for animals as they examine stuffed animals and the Open Wide for Dental Health exhibit where children learn about dental care by practicing on puppet patients.

For the young and the young at heart (like Tall Turf’s staff and mentors) this was a fun and imaginative trip.

CEO Jack Kooyman who attended the trip as a substitute driver noted that: “Even the Leader In Training teens seemed to have a lot of fun at the museum.”

Thanks for supporting programs like W.O.R.K. throughout the year!