Teens Learn About Faith And Hot Rods At Camp

By Dan Bewley and Scott Thompson, The News On 6

BROKEN ARROW, OK -- Some teens in Broken Arrow are spending their summer camp building the ride of a lifetime.  They're learning how faith and greasy hands go together.  It's called Hot Rod Camp.  It is one week of building a car and deepening their faith.

"I got to help build a car.  I've never done that before," said camper Dylan Cole.

It's not just a car they're working on.  It is a 1932 Ford Roadster and the rebuild is from the ground up.    

"I'm putting the vent tube on so it can let the air out from the transmission," said camper Zach Searle.

"I think it's pretty amazing. I can't believe they've got this far, this fast," said Terry Wolf with Floyd & Sons Body Shop.

The Hot Rod Summer Camp is at Newheart Fellowship Church.

"This is a lot of fun.  I haven't had the opportunity to do something like this," said camper Zach Searle.

Eight teenage boys have spent the week building the hot rod from scratch.  Twenty-eight local businesses are helping out.  Floyd & Sons Body Shop, for example, has donated more than $10,000 in parts and labor.

"Hopefully, these guys take away from the camp that it was to impact their life or make a difference in their life," said Terry Wolf with Floyd & Sons Body Shop.

The campers start the day with fellowship and bible study, and then it's off to the garage.  Organizers say the camp is the perfect way to show the boys that Christian men aren't always wearing suits and ties and sitting in a church pew.

"A lot of these kids just need to know that somebody loves them and that Christian men can have a lot of fun and building a '32 Ford hot rod is one of those things," said organizer Donavin Calmer.

The campers say it's been an amazing week.  Some of them knew about cars beforehand, others are learning on the fly.  Organizers say it's a different way to kick start a hobby and share their faith.

"Each one of you are unique and each one of you have a different personality and we love you guys," said organizer Donavin Calmer. 

The hot rod will be finished on Saturday.  It will eventually be displayed in car shows and parades.  Church leaders hope other car lovers follow their lead and start similar camps.