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When school is out, and it’s summer break in the small town of York, South Carolina, kids are looking for things to do. Something fun, something different, and something they can attend with their friends. That’s where Rebecca Herring’s idea to share her passion for sewing and her love for serving the Lord came into being! Read more to discover this unique outreach for girls.

I asked Rebecca how she came up with this idea to reach out to young people. Here’s what she said about how God led her to this decision.

Rebecca: I have always been a sewer, thanks to my grandmother. When Covid hit and no one except “Essential Personnel” could get masks, I decided to make masks for my church members. Well, George told Susan, who told Mike, who told his entire company there were free masks at our church. 

The first set disappeared, so I took the hint a lot of people needed them and started sewing. Very few women actually sew anymore. I found out virtually every female who asked for “a couple for my husband and me” said she didn’t know how to sew, and did I give lessons?

Our God is willing to use us where we are and with the skills we have. After making somewhere between 300-400 masks, the need for the handmade masks disappeared. 

I asked my Heavenly Father for guidance, and I got the biggest “Duh!” moment in my life. I’m a retired high school teacher, and I also teach piano and violin in my home. I could almost hear the angels laughing as my question about what to do hit the heavenly gates. My career was teaching young people. There are young people all around me, and I own five sewing machines. Get the hint?

Youth Ministry Outreach For Girls

And thus, the ‘Sew Can I Camp’ was born!

Rebecca’s small church, the York ARP Church, gave her the green light to host her God-inspired idea of the ‘Sew Can I’ camp for girls at their campus! Rebecca was excited, and she couldn’t wait to see who God would bring to attend the camp and what He would do with this camp!

How were you able to fund this camp?

Rebecca: Let me say I did not ask the church for any financial aid. My philosophy was if this was really in God’s will, then I knew He would provide. And He did!

How did you promote your camp? How did the girls find out about it?

Rebecca: I asked for time to share about it at the fellowship lunch at our church. I invited the girls from our church to the camp. I wanted parents to see their children be involved in the camp, and one of my goals was to have the sewers be able to hear praise from the adults in our church to encourage them. There were also flyers posted on the church campus, and one went up at the local grocery store. 

When did you decide to hold your camp?

Rebecca: I set a week in late July when the family vacations did not conflict.

What was the basic schedule you followed throughout the week?

Rebecca: Start time was 9 am sharp for a light breakfast and devotional time. For some of these girls, it could be their first exposure to the Word. We followed with a time of sharing and prayer, and then we started our day in earnest. The program ran until noon each day.

Popular Youth Outreach For Girls

Can you share some of the projects and skills you taught the girls?

Rebecca: I decided the first day would simply be learning about the machines and how to sew a straight stitch. So we made pot holders and fancy dish towels as gifts for their homes. Noon came a lot faster than anyone wanted on that first day! They all had to wait for Day 2 for the next project, but they were excited for it to come!”

Day 2 was focused on the skills of cutting and pinning accurately, so the sewing part became easier. During this class, we created shaped aprons and a hair-drying towel. It is one you don’t have to worry about falling off your head.

We all know everyone learns and works at different speeds. How did you handle that in your class?

Rebecca: If one student finished early, I moved them on to more projects. We all learned how to make 10-minute Bunny Rabbits to give to the local police department. The police officers keep them in their car trunks and give them to children who have been in accidents or other traumatic situations to calm them. We completed 20 Bunny Rabbits by the end of the week.

This simple project was a great way to add another element to their class, demonstrating how these young ladies could use their newfound skills and talents to serve others in need!

How did you decide on what projects to make?

Rebecca: I chose projects that would involve creativity yet be simple for beginners. My fabric stash is quite extensive, so I could let them experiment with different textures and colors. One of the girls made an elastic waist skirt from blue velvet and white lace. It was lovely.

Teach Teens To Sew At Church 

At the end of the week, each girl had several projects they were so proud of. Rebecca designated the last hour of camp as “Show-Off” time, a celebration where they could do a mini Runway show of posing with their projects. What a fun way to end the week and get some pictures for great memories to share with others. Rebecca always invites parents to attend the “Show-Off” event at camp as a way to encourage the girls and an avenue by which to make connections with the families.

What was the response of the girls to the camp? What do people in your community think about this camp?

Rebecca: Well, several ladies have stopped me in the grocery store and asked me if I am the ‘sewing lady.’ Some women have stopped me to say they want their granddaughters to come. My girls are actually my biggest cheerleaders. This year, one of the projects we made was book bags. They headed for school this week, all carrying the book bags we made and some wearing outfits they had sewn themselves.

Small Church Teaches Life Skills To Teens

Rebecca said the first year they held camp, they had five young ladies attend, which was perfect because she had five sewing machines!

In the second year of camp, she had to turn some students away. The word of mouth was so good she had 15 applicants for 10 openings. After the first year of camp, Rebecca started to pick up extra sewing machines whenever she could (from pawn shops, thrift shops, yard sales, etc.) By the time it came to host the second year of camp, Rebecca had ten machines to use! God was blessing her camp greatly!

What is your favorite part about the ‘Sew Can I’ camp?

Rebecca: Oh, my favorite part is always on the last day. Each girl receives a framed copy of Proverbs 31, where the skills are listed that make women into precious women. Some of these girls have no idea this is in the Bible. This serves as a gift and a reminder to each participant of how much God loves them, and it also serves as a kind of completion certificate from the program.

Make Connections Through Teaching Teens

Rebecca says there are always deep connections made with the girls throughout the week. They know they are loved and prayed for. They experience God’s Word. She said these relationships continue long after camp is done, both with her and between the girls.

What advice would you give someone thinking about starting a ministry like this in their small church?

Rebecca: Make sure God is calling you to do it!

Ask Friends To Help In Ministry Outreach

We know it’s always a good idea to get others on board and excited about your idea. Having a partner or a team can make things easier and can be so encouraging. In any ministry, it’s important to enlist your small church family to pray for you, pray for the attendees, and pray for God to work! So step out in faith and see what God can do through your small church!

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