Once upon a time, in the lively state of Illinois, filled with expansive cornfields, towering skyscrapers, and the captivating Lake Michigan, a gang of kids discovered the joyous, sometimes squiggly, activity of fishing. Illinois, known for its pizza, hot dogs, and the legendary Chicago Bulls, was now also home to these young fishing enthusiasts. Our story features a peculiar, but lovable character, named Squiggly Wiggly. Squiggly was not your average boy; he was a talking worm with a passion for fishing. Yes, a worm! Funny, isn't it? Squiggly would wriggle his way around Illinois, teaching kids how to fish and, of course, how to bait the hook without him ending up as dinner for the fishes. These Illinois kids weren't just regular children either. They were little adventurers, always ready to cast their fishing lines and pull out the biggest, most-colorful fish. And with Squiggly Wiggly’s expertise in wormology and fish-tales, they became the best fishermen and fisherwomen in all of Illinois. They would giggle as they got their hands wet and muddy, baiting their hooks under Squiggly's watchful eye. There would be shouts of excitement whenever a fish would take the bait, and the battle of reeling it in would ensue. With each tug of war between kid and fish, the bonds of friendship grew stronger among the gang and their unusual, wriggly mentor. So there they were, the awesome kids of Illinois: fearless, funny, and full of fishing tales, making the most out of their beautiful state’s lakes and rivers, and having the time of their lives with their favorite fishing companion, the ever-squiggly, ever-wiggly, Squiggly Wiggly.
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For over 50 years, Frontier Camp has been dedicated to making disciples of Jesus by sharing God’s Word amidst the beauty of His creation. Since our founding in 1969, we’ve been licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services and are proudly accredited by the American Camping Association. We’re also a member of the Christian Camping and Conference Association. Our mission is to use Christian camping and outdoor recreation as a means to support local churches in fulfilling the Great Commission—evangelizing people of all ages and discipling believers toward deeper maturity in Christ. Frontier Camp offers a dual ministry: during the summer, we host a 10-week youth camp, and throughout the rest of the year, we serve as a retreat facility for churches and like-minded religious organizations. Whether through summer camps or retreats, our goal remains the same: to expose people to Christ and encourage their spiritual growth through His Word and by reflecting His character in everything we do. While we provide top-notch recreation and exciting programming, the heart of our camp is the spiritual impact, rooted in the truth of God’s inerrant Word.
At Camp Ben Frankel, we focus on creating a lifetime of memories for Jewish children of all backgrounds. Our leadership and staff are experienced and highly trained in providing a safe, welcoming camp environment, and we’re proud to be accredited by the American Camp Association. We strive to meet and exceed the expectations of our campers, parents, and staff. During the summer of 2021, we reopened our in-person camp and experienced no cases of Covid. In 2020, we launched CBF Online, our virtual summer camp program. It quickly gained recognition from the Jewish Telegraph Agency, The Forward, The Telegraph (UK), the St. Louis Jewish Light, and eJewishPhilanthropy. We partner with organizations like the Foundation For Jewish Camp, JCamp180, Jewish Camps USA, Life and Legacy, and Jewish Federations across the country to better serve our community. We are proud to have been presented with the JCamp180 Outstanding Board Leadership Award in October 2020. At Camp Ben Frankel, our mission is to provide a lifetime of memories to Jewish children from all backgrounds. We create an inclusive and welcoming environment that invites exploration of identity. Our staff are trained in safety protocols, and we use best-practices, strategic partnerships, and an open-minded approach to develop programs and activities that meet our high standards. We are thrilled to have been able to offer both in-person and virtual camp in 2021 and look forward to continuing to provide high-quality programming for years to come.