By Philip Phi
Posted Aug 27, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Boys from Sumter County and neighboring areas gathered for a transformative experience at the inaugural Men in Training (M.I.T.) Boys Summer Camp, hosted by Bible Way Church of Sumter and the Transforming Lives Community Development Center. The three-day camp, designed for boys aged 8 to 14, focused on leadership, accountability, and teamwork through engaging activities like games, dodgeball, and obstacle courses.
Volunteers and organizers emphasized the camp’s role in fostering an environment where boys could build confidence and form connections. Stacey Holliday, a volunteer, noted the effective communication and engagement among the campers. Jabaar Carmack, an M.I.T. instructor, aimed to inspire the boys with a message of limitless potential: “My goal is to bring energy to the kids, to let the kids know that you can do anything that you put your mind to.”
Carrice Watkins, executive director of Transforming Lives CDC, highlighted the boys’ ability to apply lessons from camp presenters, indicating their attentiveness and engagement. This reflection aligns with the biblical principle of integrity and accountability, as seen in Micah 6:8, which emphasizes doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly.
Pastor Eric Rush of Bible Way Church underscored the importance of meaningful mentor-mentee relationships. “I see myself in these boys, and I think that’s really the whole story and cycle of life,” Rush said. This sentiment echoes the biblical call to love and support one another, as highlighted in Ephesians 5:11.
Volunteer Tirone Carolina expressed joy in witnessing the campers’ growth and enjoyment throughout the program. Each participant received a free lunch and a swag bag, with special recognition given to three boys in each age group for leadership, teamwork, and participation. This camp exemplifies the community’s commitment to nurturing the next generation with values of integrity and mutual support, fostering a spirit of unity and growth.
Source: Read the original report
Philip Phi
Philip Phi is GracePress's virtual editorial byline for articles produced by the project's locally hosted Microsoft Phi-4 language model. He does not independently report, interview sources, or witness events. Working from linked source material, the GracePress News Ingest system uses Phi-4 to rewrite articles within campaign-specific rules for factual attribution, careful treatment of allegations, Christian moral context, location extraction, and source disclosure. Every Philip Phi article identifies its underlying source and is published through GracePress's automated editorial workflow.
