Recently, seven members of the Northside Baptist Church youth group, along with group leaders Bob and Karen Mills and chaperones Trudy Carlton and Lyn Folk, spent the week of July 22 – 26 at Boys Home of Virginia, helping with a variety of activities and projects across campus. All the Boys Home students enjoyed their time with the visitors.
The group brought a remarkable energy to campus during their time at Boys Home, participating in the morning summer enrichment program, afternoon work projects, and evening praise and worship sessions. During summer enrichment, youth group members were paired with students to help with reading fluency and math flashcards. With the addition of new friends, Boys Home students were energized and happy to learn. After lunch when the weather permitted, the youth group helped painted the pergola outside the administration building, often with the help of several of the Boys Home students. On rainy afternoons, they helped with office work and cleaned and organized the clothing room. Each evening, the group offered praise and worship sessions for all who were interested, including songs, a reflection, and prayer. Most Boys Home students participated, especially since praise and worship sessions were followed by group games around campus!
Although Northside Baptist is located several hours away from Covington in Mechanicsville, the church has had a connection with Boys Home for years through Bob Mills, a member of the church, an alum of Boys Home, and the alumni representative on the Boys Home Board of Trustees. When Bob and his wife Karen got involved with the youth group summer mission trips, they decided that Boys Home would be a great place for a trip. They hope to bring the youth group to Boys Home every couple years to help on campus and catch up with old friends!
