Body scan meditations are a mindfulness practice used to improve your overall well being. They involve paying attention to parts of your body and releasing tension that may be building up. It has proven effects of improving sleep, reducing stress, increasing focus, and decreasing aches and pains. 

Body scans attune our senses to the sensations of the our body without judging them but simply trying to see them for what they are. In merely noticing tensions, sensations, etc. we provide relief to the area and can choose to relax our body.  They can also provide some relief to psychological tension which can easily accompany physical discomfort.

There are many body scan scripts available for you to try. You can check out scripts from Greater Good in Action, Mindful, or an audio one by Headspace. 

Below are two youtube videos of body scans. The first is a short 5 minute video for those that are beginners and want to try this exercise.  The second is 15 minutes for a deeper meditation.  

I hope you are all taking care of yourself and looking out for the needs of others during this difficult time. 

This week try a body scan and see if this type of meditation works for you. 

“The camp for fun. The courage to care.” This is the motto for Camp Courage. The first sentence is one that applies to all summer camps! Like many camps, Camp Courage has lots of fun things to do including fishing, swimming, games, dances, and special events. We have campers jumping out of their cars on arrival day with excitement and joy on their faces. What makes Camp Courage unique is that everything is designed for adults with special needs. This four day, all-inclusive camp is carefully developed by volunteers each year to offer new experiences to this special group of people. Our campers bring with them their own unique set of abilities and challenges, and we have the blessed opportunity to meet them where they are and share in some fun. ​

This is where the second part of our camp motto elevates to great importance, “The courage to care”. I will be the first to admit I was scared when I first arrived at Camp Courage. I was fourteen-years-old. My mom woke me up and said, “Get dressed. You are going to go volunteer!”. Reluctantly, I got ready to go, totally unaware of what I would be walking into. I didn’t expect to be greeted by adults with special needs. I had never really met anyone with special needs, let alone an adult with special needs. I immediately started picking out the differences between myself and the campers. We talked differently, we walked differently, we understood each other differently, and absolutely did not have the same views regarding personal space! I hurried into the kitchen as a way to hide, and then I watched. ​

Over the next day or so, I continued to watch and observe. I noticed volunteers that didn’t see the differences that were so obvious to me. They were laughing together. They were gathering in groups and playing games. They were having fun together. That word, together, is what I noticed the most. The volunteers weren’t babysitters or merely supervising the campers, they were friends! They were enjoying camp together. 

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I remember wanting to stay out at camp longer and longer each day, until I too was enjoying the camp together with the campers and volunteers alike; and that’s when I knew this was something special that I wanted to be a part of. I finally had the courage to care and could see each camper as a person just like me.  

This is the message that Jesus spoke to us then and continues to speak through us today. When we stop to really see someone as a person, love and serve them, we share the love of God. We are lucky enough to share this with a population that, in my opinion, reflects love like no other group of people. It’s unfiltered, unbiased, love and appreciation. I think if you ask any volunteer at Camp Courage they would say that they feel like they get more out their time there, then they could ever put in because of this. 

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So, are we serving others like God calls us to to? Yes. Does it take a little courage? Of course! But most importantly we are making sure that everyone at Camp Courage is seen and loved. They come to camp for the fun, and thanks to the love that God first gave us, we have the courage to extend that love to others.

A big thank you to Ashley for sharing her incredible experiences of seeing and loving others through this camp!  Please give your support in anyway possible!

This week I encourage all of you to take the time to truly listen and love the individuals around you.  

Most of the campers need 24 hour care throughout their lives. An added benefit of Camp MITIOG is that it provides a week of relief to the caregivers of the campers. The camp provides full medical support for the campers physical needs to ensure they are not at risk. Each camper is assigned a counselor that does everything the camper needs for the week. I often hear counselors say the opportunity to give back to someone has created a joy in their life that has changed their life direction. Most come back year after year to be a part of this amazing experience. In fact, I met my children’s mother at Camp MITIOG when we were both counselors in the late 1970’s.


Camp MITIOG has a 97% camper return rate! If they are not returning than its most likely that they have graduated. Most of the campers go for all 10 years that they can. Parents gratefully share with us the amazing things their children say about camp. Comments like, "Camp is better than Christmas" or campers asking, "When can I go back" after only being home for one week are common statements that bring joy to my heart. ​

One amazing thing is Camp MITIOG is provided free of charge to the campers and is funded 100% by donations. Most of the campers would not be able to come to camp each year without the generosity of donors. One wonderful organization helping us provide this program is the Camps for Kids organization. They have provided over $20,000 each year in a matching funds grant. The way it works is for every dollar donated to Camp MITIOG through Camps for Kids, they will match each donation up to $1,500. Because of the generosity of donors we have been able to match 100% of this grant for the last 10 years. Thank you to all those who have supported Camp MITIOG! 


Depending upon the path of the current pandemic situation in the world, camp is currently scheduled to proceed July 19-24, 2020. This year we are open to having interested individuals tour the camp but must schedule an appointment. You can contact me at 816-454-2607 with any questions or interest you have in helping out with the camp or fundraising. I guarantee it will be rewarding! I am blessed every year in telling the story of Camp MITIOG and the response of generosity I see from people. ​

The matching Camps for Kids grant in 2020 is open now and runs through July 31, 2020.  If interested in helping us match the $22,500 please go to Camps for Kids and donate.  


“NOW” is the time to maximize the benefits of your donation.
1.) Please send all donations made payable to: Camps for Kids
2.) Mail the contributions to: Camp MITIOG
                    C/O Camps for Kids
                    5960 Dearborn
                    Suite 225
                    Mission, KS 66202
3.) Write in the Memo section of the check or money order, For Camp MITIOG.
4.) All contributions this year will receive a receipt from Camps for Kids designating which camp the donation was credited to.


Thank you for your grateful consideration and God bless each one of you! 


If you are aware of any organizations or individuals who would like to sponsor Camp MITIOG in fundraising efforts, please let me know and I will send out our 501c3 letters and our professionally prepared brochures. I can be reached at 816-454-2607 or at [email protected] for any other questions.  ​

I really appreciate Aaron writing about Camp MITIOG so we can be aware of the amazing ministry that happens there.  

This week think about your own camp experience and share it with someone else.  And if you feel able please donate to this awesome camp!