I’ve been wanting to write a blog about camp for a while now. Now, please don’t stop reading because I mentioned camp again… just hear me out. It’s almost May, school is coming to a close and everyone is trying to decide what to do with their summer.

Most people wanna do something during the summer, am I right?

Something adventurous,

something exciting,

something new,

something meaningful.

In July of summer 2012 I discovered those kinds of summers. I attended a leadership program at what now is my home away from home. It was two weeks long and it changed my life. It taught me about Christ, it taught me about friendship. It gave me life-long friends and it strengthened my friendships with those I had known my whole life, it gave me role models who I still look up to. It showed me how to be a leader, how to be confident and how to be rooted in Christ.

I’ve worked there for three years now & I have seen some amazing things. I’ve seen staff members change and develop into incredible men and women of God. I’ve seen encouraging, nourishing, incredible friendships develop, I’ve seen people come out of their shells and embrace who they really are. I’ve seen kids accept Christ for the first time and be completely changed, I’ve seen the way a child’s face lights up when they hold their first bible.

It’s incredible,

it’s eye-opening,

it’s life changing.

I think that’s what camp is all about. Changing lives. Not just the lives of kids who are afraid to climb a rock wall (this was me) or who don’t know how to ride a horse but to change their eternal life. To change the way staff live their lives, to get them on fire for Christ. I think the point of camp is to develop world changers. The kind of people who love Christ so much that it spills into everything they do, at least that’s what I’ve experienced.

Camp is the most magical place I’ve been. It’s a place where you can get whipped cream or chocolate pudding all over yourself and not be embarrassed but be ecstatic. It’s the kind of place where you can let go and forget your troubles and just be you. A place where you’re beautiful because of the joy flowing out of you, not because of what you’re wearing or how your makeup or hair looks. A place where you’re free to dive into Christ and be surrounded by him & his people all summer. It’s truly remarkable.

“So, what does this have to do with me & my summer?”

I know I nag a lot of people and ask them all the time to consider apply but guess what? I’m gonna keep doing it. I don’t just ask people because we want more staff to make it an easier summer, I’m asking people because I want them to experience this incredible place, to feel the love & acceptance I’ve felt there over these past three years. So please, consider applying this summer, even if it’s just for one week. Try it out. I promise you won’t regret it. If you are 16 or older, love Christ, love kids and are looking for something to do this summer, go to this link and fill out a staff application. I promise you it’ll be an unforgettable week, few weeks or summer.

happy wednesday ! xo