Service Celebrates Accomplishments of Children

Two Sundays ago, youth at The Salvation Army in Bloomington were recognized. In pews filled with family, friends and fellow Salvationists, the students came forward one by one to receive their deep blue sashes. Not only do these look great but they will hold a growing number of badges.

The badges are awarded through two systems: the Adventure Corps for the boys and the Sunbeam Program for the girls. The youth spend up to a month going through lessons on a particular topic and for their participation and ability to know the lessons the youth accumulate badges that eventually fill their sashes.

These aren’t new program either! Since the 1920s, the Sunbeam and Girl Guard programs have reached out to area youth to provide fun, safe activities focused on Christ. The Adventure Corps emerged in the 1980s in the United States for boys. The main point of all of these groups is to promote strong character growth in children.

If you’d like to learn more about either of these programs please contact Lt. Catherine Fitzgerald who oversees the progress of the children.