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Daughters of Zion Takes Participants, Families and Friends from Arkabutla Lake to Jesus People Church Campground
Camp Covenant Adventures turns an unexpected change of plans into a hands-on fishing and outdoor-learning experience
Shelby County Observer — Community Affairs Department on November 4, 2026
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — What began as a Sunday road trip to Mississippi became a lesson in something larger than fishing: sometimes adventure means learning how to adjust when the plan changes.
On Sunday, October 25, Daughters of Zion’s Camp Covenant Adventures™ took 12 youth, along with participating family members and friends, on an outdoor expedition toward Arkabutla and Sardis lakes. The group traveled in a 12-passenger van and an eight-passenger minivan, giving several young participants an opportunity simply to get outside their familiar surroundings, see new scenery and experience a recreational road trip together.
Upon reaching Arkabutla Lake, organizers discovered that extremely low water conditions and access restrictions made the planned fishing experience impractical. Rather than allowing the day to end there, the group toured the Arkabutla Dam area, enjoyed the Mississippi countryside and returned to the Jesus People Church campground, where the fishing adventure continued.
There, the young participants received their first hands-on introduction to fishing.
They learned how to hold and operate a fishing rod and reel, cast a line, use a bobber, recognize when a fish may be biting, handle bait, share equipment, practice patience and remain safe around the shoreline. They also learned that outdoor recreation is not simply about catching a fish—it can build concentration, confidence, cooperation and an appreciation for nature.
For several participants, simply standing along the water with a fishing pole represented a new experience.
That is precisely the purpose behind Camp Covenant Adventures™, a Daughters of Zion initiative supported through the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging Youth Developmental Camp Grant. The program is designed primarily to expand recreational opportunities for youth ages 5–22 with intellectual and developmental disabilities while creating inclusive experiences alongside siblings, peers, friends and families.
The October adventure directly advanced the program’s goals of outdoor exploration, physical activity, social interaction, confidence building, family engagement and exposure to recreational experiences that participants may not otherwise encounter.
Daughters of Zion is implementing Camp Covenant Adventures in partnership with Humanitarian Outreach Development Group, which supports camp management, participant recruitment, equipment and supplies.
What could have been remembered as a trip interrupted by low water instead became a lesson in adaptability.
The destination changed. The mission did not.
By the end of the afternoon, young people who began the day riding through Mississippi were standing beside the water with fishing poles in their hands—learning, laughing, experimenting and experiencing something new.
For Camp Covenant Adventures™, that is the measure of a successful day: not simply where the children went, but what they were able to experience when they got there.
Families and Community Invited to Participate
Daughters of Zion invites families of youth ages 5–22 with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other special needs to participate in upcoming Camp Covenant Adventures™ experiences. Siblings, peers, friends and family members are also encouraged to participate as part of the program’s inclusive recreational model.
Families, schools, churches and community organizations may also recommend a young person or family who could benefit from the program.
Participation is FREE.
To participate, recommend a youth or family, or learn about upcoming Camp Covenant Adventures™ activities, call the:
Daughters of Zion 24-Hour Hotline
901-260-9933
This project is funded under a Grant Contract with the State of Tennessee.
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