Once upon a time, in a land as vast as the golden cornfields, graced by the winding Chicago River and guarded by the towering Willis Tower, there lay the bountiful state of Illinois. It's a place where the winds whispered tales of adventure and the stars twinkled in delight as they watched over the bustling cities and peaceful prairies. But do you know what made Illinois even more magical? Why, it was the children who lived there, of course! These weren't just ordinary kids though. You see, every one of them was a "Painting Pioneer!" With a flick of their magic paintbrushes, they could bring the most incredible images to life on their canvases. And it was all thanks to their leader, a quirky, jolly character they fondly named "Splatter the Paint-tastic." Splatter was a peculiar fellow, not a person, but a paintbrush with a life of its own. He wore a beret made of rainbow sprinkles and had a mustache that sparkled like glitter. He was always seen doing a wobbly little dance, his bristles dipped in a pot of laughter and his handle filled with zany ideas. Splatter taught the children that every painting was a unique universe of their creation. He told them that each splash of color was a new star born, and each careful stroke was a river flowing with stories. Together, they painted marvelous masterpieces, each one echoing with the laughter and joy of these Painting Pioneers of Illinois. For you see, in this magical state, every child had a universe in their heart, and a paintbrush in their hand to bring it to life.
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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.