Family Ministry

Camp Open Arms

Offering Hope and Light: Peninsula Rescue Mission's Summer Camp


The saying "As the twig is bent, so grows the tree" reminds us that we need to reach children when they are young. Most people become followers of Christ in their childhood, before their hearts become hardened and influenced by the world. In 1974, we started "Camp Open Arms" to specifically reach out to young children.

Every July, we bring 64 children from low-income families to a camp in Surry County for a week. In this rural setting, we show them love and provide them with various forms of support. Generous individuals sponsor the children, and the campers send them a thank-you card as a token of gratitude. Many children have found their faith in Jesus through this ministry, and their lives have been transformed forever.

2023 Registration Closed

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2023 Registration Closed 〰️

What is Camp Open Arms?

Thanksgiving Outreach

Peninsula Rescue Mission Brings Thanksgiving Joy to Families in Need


At PRM, Thanksgiving is about sharing the love of Christ in a very practical way. With donor support, PRM assembles 175-200 food boxes for families in need within our community. Schools and churches help deliver these boxes to families. Each box contains everything needed for a delicious Thanksgiving meal.

If you would like to help on Packing Day please contact our Volunteer Coordinator. If you would like more information about donating food items for this project, please contact our Donor Relations Coordinator.

Below is the list of items we need for our Thanksgiving Food Boxes:

  • canned vegetables (green beans, peas, corn, yams)

  • canned fruit (peaches, pears, fruit cocktail)

  • 5 lb. sugar / 5 lb. flour

  • pie filling

  • cranberry sauce

  • stuffing

Christmas Outreach

Bringing Holiday Joy to Families in Need

Perhaps you remember childhood Christmases with deep fondness. For the needy, Christmas can be a sad time, saddest of all for the children. That is why we work so hard to provide a nice holiday for the many children we help each year.

Every child receives two large bags filled with NEW toys and clothes, donated or purchased with them in mind! The Moms come and receive the gifts so they can present them to the children as from themselves or as from Santa, whichever they choose.

The day of preparing those bags involves the single largest group of volunteers who gather at any time during the year. Perhaps your office, family, Sunday School class, or other group would like to get involved by volunteering to help prepare the gift bags. If so, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator. If your group would like to help by donating new children’s clothing and toys, please contact our Donor Relations Coordinator.