Kayla is Running Barefoot 2020!

Well, Run Barefoot is happening again this year! To those that did not get to hear about this from me last year, this is a brief description of why Barefoot exists, what it is, and why it's making a big impact for so many lives.

Barefoot Republic is a Christian non-profit that began because of one man's dream to give every kid, no matter if they are poor or rich, black or white, English speaking or English second language, the opportunity to go to camp. Tommy is that man, the Executive Director and my boss. He heard the calling of God upon his life to start a camp many years ago, and we have existed to impact lives for 20 years now!

We offer scholarships for families that cannot pay the full balance of camp, which is about 50% of our campers. We have refugees from all over the world that come every year. We have kids from the inner city, to the suburbs, to rural areas. No matter how the world defines an individual or a group of people, Barefoot Republic is a place that is safe and welcoming for them despite the boxes the world puts them in. Our mission of INCLUSIVE diversity is pushing back on a culture of division or even purposeless, empty diversity. At Barefoot Republic, no one is turned away for any reason. Every child and family belongs in the name of Jesus!

At camp, students hear the gospel every day and are invited to ask questions and ponder the Good News for themselves. We tell them that Jesus meets them right where THEY are and wherever they come from. Our God is a cross-cultural God, crossing every boundary that we set up. Kids also get to choose a diverse platform of specialty activities for the week, such as: high ropes (zip line, tree climbing, etc.), water sports (tubing, jet skiing, etc.), dance, vocal performance, music production, soccer, basketball, and so on. 

I have the privilege of being the Camp Registrar and seeing every single camper's profile that comes through, so I get to hear the stories of the impact that Barefoot has made on these families lives. What other place can kids go to camp and not have to worry about finances?? It's amazing! 

But, of course, fundraising is a big part of allowing us the opportunity to gift kids with camp. Please join me in raising money for our scholarship fund to continue to be able to offer camp to ALL families! As I run, I am physically, tangibly being part of something so much bigger than myself- sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to ALL people in ALL places of ALL backgrounds. You can be part, too, by clicking that donate button! More so, pray that more and more campers and families would hear the Good News and their eyes be opened to Jesus. That is our FIRST mission and the reason we exist!