Shepherd Camp Service
Hello Campers! Are you ready to lend a hand to our friends and neighbors in our Austin community this summer? On this page, we have our service ideas for families, preschoolers and elementary-aged kids. We are partnering with Community First Village, Keep Austin Beautiful, and creating a pen pal program with our friends at Westminster. There are activities that go along with each of the stories or you can just take on any project at any time that speaks to your heart. There’s no limit to the goodness that our Good Shepherd community can do!
Week One: Great and Small
Loving All Living Beings
Make toys for animals waiting to be adopted! Click on the links to learn how to make dog toys and cat toys.
Donate food and other animal supplies to Austin Pets Alive.
Plant a butterfly garden for our fluttery friends.
Build your own birdhouse, put up feeders around your yard, or consider planting some bird-friendly plants!
Week Two: In the Beginning
Creation Care
Those Texas thunderstorms are no joke! Help prevent flooding by building a rain garden or collect rainwater with these cool ideas!
Organize a community cleanup for you and your family!
On your evening walks, bring a small trash bag and pick up any litter you come across.
Week 3: You Be You
You are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Tell someone how much they mean to you! Write a letter, give them a phone call, or drop off surprise cupcakes on their doorstep.
Write uplifting messages for your neighbors on your sidewalk!
Start a gratitude journal. Write 2-3 gratitudes in it every day.
Do something nice for a parent or sibling.
Make birthday cards for children and teens in the foster care system through the Pop-Up Birthday program.
Week 4: The Gospel Story
Loving Our Neighbors
Write “Welcome Home” cards for neighbors as they move into their new homes at Community First Village! Drop off letters outside of the Good Shepherd Administration building.
Participate in our canned food drive! Drop off food drive items at Good Shepherd or at The Hill.
Fill out a volunteer application to serve at Community First Village. Opportunities include things like crafting, woodworking, planting and gardening, and virtual fellowship!
Make duct tape wallets for people experiencing homelessness and drop them off at the Good Shepherd Administration building!
Week 5: Rest
“Come to me, all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest”
Make sanitation and hygiene care packages for people experiencing homelessness:
- Things to include: plastic bags; cloth mask or bandana; water bottle; disposable gloves; bar of soap; vitamin C packets; and a handmade cheerful card to include in each bag!
- To make the snack kits you will need: plastic bags; variety of easy to carry snacks such as: boxes of raisins; granola bars; nuts; slim jims; crackers; pretzels; water bottles; vitamin C packets; and a handmade cheerful card to include in each bag!
- You can hand these out as you drive around Austin!
Become a penpal with a resident of Westminster Retirement Community! Email Aimee Bostwick to sign up.
Week 6: Only At Night
“Gold, frankincense, and myrrh”
Start a small business and donate the proceeds to organizations like El Buen Samaritano, Community First, or the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing:
- Make “Justice Jewelry” and sell friendship bracelets, necklaces, or rings.
- Hold a bake drive and drop off goodies in exchange for a donation.
- Draw pictures of family members, pets, or houses for a commission!
- Do yard work for a neighbor and ask them to donate to an organization of your choice instead of paying you.