MEET THE GUMMIE BEARS!

Gummie Bears are the youngest members of SDC and consists of 1st and 2nd graders. Within the GB group, there are 3 subgroups: GB Blue, GB Red, and GB Yellow. Do not let their age or small stature of this group fool you. Their nature has the power to soften hard hearts, invoke a sense of protection, and make someone humble. They are a group full of surprises! GB is a group that continuously strives to soar to new heights and prove they are capable. The Gummie Bears are here to show the world their greatness.

 Hi! I am currently a senior at Balboa High School, and am excited to head onto a new chapter going to college in a different city! During my free time, I love to hang out with friends and bake different treats to share with everyone. This is my 5th year serving at Summer Day Camp, and my 3rd year as a Gummie Bear Team Facilitator! After my first year working with the Gummie Bears, I have grown to love all the children equally. They fill my heart with joy and happiness, and I wish that I can serve in this ministry every day of the year. I started coming to church as a student in the after school program that this church offers. I was exposed to Jesus Christ from devotions that we were assigned and grew a strong interest to serve Him.

This year will be a new year for us to share the love of God with each other and the kids! We are blessed to have the opportunity to build relationships with 60 students and their families!! God works in all of our weaknesses and shows us the way He wants us to go. Planning with the Team Facilitators has been very fun and tiring, but we all know that it’ll be worth it in the end. To see all the kids smile and answering to their curiosities everyday is such a rewarding experience. While we make an impact on the kids’ lives, I truly believe that every year, the kids make the bigger impact in my life. I am super excited for a new year, and hope to meet everyone soon!

Hello, my name is Daniel. For the past five years, I've been given the opportunity to work with the Gummie Bear group. Every year is a new challenge. With the changes of expectations and goals each year, I was able to develop a passion in fostering a family-like environment where kids can come and feel comfortable and loved. Through the years, not only have I been able to help students develop assets essential to building their lifetime characteristics, but I have also personally benefited by building a character of my own, where I am able to survey my personal journey with others on their walk with Christ. Because the start of my faith journey came through Summer Day Camp, I want to be able to give back the love that Christ showed me, by reaching out to new kids and counselors and being accessible as a positive role model, showing God’s love through my actions.

Hello, My name is Vincent and this year is my fourth year serving at SDC. In my past years, I served in the Airheads and Skittles Group. With that said, this is my first year working in the Gummie Bear Group.  Although this is a new experience, I view every year of SDC as striving for the same purpose. For me, I was also a kid here when I was little. I started as a Gummie Bear and worked my way to becoming a counselor. During these years, my past counselors showed me the love that sparked my spiritual faith. This love eventually led me to seek God myself outside of summer camp time.  I think this is what SDC is all about: Planting seeds in the lives of kids and counselors. The most rewarding part about all this is looking later in life and seeing those seeds grow into future leaders. I think the challenge that presents itself is how we are going to get their attention.  I think that's the part where investing in our counselors come to play. They, along with myself, are going to be the people that create an environment where kids feel God's love. Hopefully this seed, with the help of God, will sprout in the future!