CAMP SONSHINE CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY IN AREA

Area Lutheran congregations marked the 20th anniversary of Camp Sonshine with a celebration Sunday. More than 190 parents, friends, campers and staff joined in the celebration at Orchard Crest Camp outside Fredericktown, Mo.

The camp is a joint venture of St. Andrew's and Good Shepherd Lutheran churches in Cape Girardeau.

The audience listened to stories about how the camp began as a program for children centered around Christ.

"I wanted every child to have the chance to learn about God," said June Seabaugh, one of the camp's founders.

The camp is open to children who have finished fourth through sixth grades.

Jim Hicks is the camp coordinator. Many of the camp's activities from the first few years are still the same today, he said.

"In today's world that is so fast-pace, and life is so structured, I think the opportunity for people to relax in a peaceful environment, a quiet environment is needed," Hicks said. "It would be trite to say it changes lives, but at least it renews people for the challenges out there in the rest of the world."