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In 1996 Ken built a management team of committed individuals who share the same passion of Service, Commitment and Ministry by adding Mark Baldwin, Camper Relations Coordinator, Lance Friis, Personnel Coordinator and Kevin Taylor, Camp Operations/Transportation Coordinator. In 1998 Ken Hensley became the Spiritual Development Coordinator, in 2001 Michele Johnson Camper Development Coordinator and Anna Rouse Administrative Coordinator, In 2006 Tony Simeone joined the management team as the Financial Development Coordinator. The entire staff and board of directors are unpaid volunteers. Funding for camp is provided through fundraisers, Grants and many individual donations.

 

Opportunity Camp has been in continuous operation for the past 37 years, offering a safe camping experience for the underprivileged children of Contra Costa County, California. The first Camp was held in 1970 and has been operating continuously ever since. Since then, this special program has spread to additional states hosting several camps.  The entire staff and board of directors are unpaid volunteers. Funding for camp is provided through fundraisers, Grants and many individual donations.

Gulf club Road Church of Christ served at our camp from 1980 – 1992 then hosted its first camp in 1992. They began a non-profit organization called Unlock Ministries in 2002, Since 2009, Ben Wall has served as Executive Director of the Fort Worth camp near Merkel TX.

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In 2006 The Southside Church of Christ in Mineral Wells lead by Youth Minister Jackie Qualls took a mission trip to California and participated in Opportunity Camp in Felton, California. The California Management team returned the following year to Mineral Wells and trained staff and church leaders to host a camp serving the local Mineral Wells community, thus the third Opportunity Camp was established in Whitney, Texas.

Whitney Texas Opportunity Camp is funded and run by Southside Church of Christ in Mineral Wells. It serves children (grades 3-6) of the town who want to go to camp and who are selected by their schools as being disadvantaged children with less-than satisfactory home lives. Daily camp activities included singing, swimming, tree-swinging/zip line, crafts, recreation time, nightly talent shows and forest walks. For many of these kids it is the best five days of their year.

In 2010, the Baker Heights CoC in Abilene, joined hands serving at the Whitney Texas Opportunity Camp. Camp Director Jackie Qualls stated we are happy to report "after serving for three years, Baker height's Church of Christ has decided to launch out to begin their own Op Camp starting this summer. We trained them, gave them everything they needed and sent them out after this Summer's camp with a blessing ". As they launched out we picked up another church, 4th and Elm CoC, that have the same vision and situation as Mineral Wells did in 2006. We will train them, give them everything they need to succeed and send them out on their own in a couple of years. " Qualls reported to Director Ken Cheda "It never ceases to amaze me how God has used you and many others in California to bless so many other children"!

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Camp Partners

Opportunity Camp represents a unique partnership of government, business, Church and community leaders dedicated to serving the disadvantaged children of Contra Costa County.

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Contra Costa County VESTIA Program

Opportunity Camp works directly with the Contra Costa County Department of Social Services (VESTIA Program) VESTIA provides services and goods to low-income and underprivileged families, foster children, and adults when assistance is not available from other sources. Much of the work VESTIA does is focused on children and families with children.?

VESTIA works closely with Contra Costa County's Employment and Human Services Department. (Social Services) For 20 years, VESTIA has provided a conduit to focus the desire, energy, and resources of local citizens and businesses to make a positive difference in our community.?

At Opportunity Camp ~ No camper is discriminated against on the basis of race, color, age, sex, belief, national origin, or handicap.

For information regarding Central/East/West County,VESTIA please contact:

Anne Struthers
Volunteer and Emergency Services
400 Ellinwood Way
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

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Church

Since it's founding in 1969, Opportunity Camp has worked closely with the Church of Christ. Opportunity Camp is staffed annually by over 130 volunteers, many of whom are Christians from the Church of Christ. Our volunteers come from across the United States to serve the children through this program. These churches include:

• San Leandro Church of Christ, San Leandro CA.

• Martinez Church of Christ, Martinez CA.

• Walnut Creek Church of Christ, Walnut Creek CA.

• Sunset Church of Christ, Lubbock TX

• Golf Club Rd Church of Christ, Midland TX

• Church of Christ, Abilene TX

• Woodland West Church of Christ, Arlington TX

• Broadway Church of Christ, Lubbock TX

• Mineral Wells Church of Christ, Mineral Wells TX

• Davis Park Church of Christ, Modesto CA.

• Eastside Church of Christ, Antioch CA.

• Tri Valley Church of Christ, Livermore CA.

 

Business

Opportunity Camp is fortunate to receive the help and support of numerous business leaders in Contra Costa County and nationwide. The following companies made financial pledges to our program through Grants, employee match programs and employee pledge opportunities.