|
|
Leadership Transition at Camp
“What is getting in the way of your relationship with God?”
"What is getting in the way of your relationship with God?"
That was the question Emily and her cabin reflected on at the prompting of her counselor and the camp pastor. Emily, a smiley and busy teen has a past that includes family addiction struggles, an absent father, and other difficulties. She waited for her cabinmates to finish sharing their answers before simply reflecting, "I've been really angry at God for some things that have happened in my life..." Denial and distraction had helped her cope, but they left her with a deep, unresolved anger about the circumstances beyond her control. In that moment, she took time to finally pause, pray, and identify what was standing in the way of her relationship with Christ. Praise the Lord that Emily felt secure with her counselor and cabinmates to see a barrier that needed to be moved out of the way!
So many campers made decisions to follow or recommit to walking with Christ this summer! We had the most summer campers ever! From campers gaining confidence riding on the zip line for the first time to counselors teaching campers how to look up Bible verses, lives are changing at camp.
Summer 2023 Highlights:
- Many stories like Emily's where God revealed things to campers, staff, and volunteers that helped them grow closer to Him!
- 94 Decisions for Christ and a record attendance of 374 Campers!
- $5,265 was awarded to each of 41 campers who requested financial aid.
7 Reasons Campers Need Summer Camp Right Now
Our world has been upside down for almost a year now. Hard to believe, right?! Weirdly enough, upside down has almost started to feel normal. (Quick reminder: It won’t be like this forever. Also, God made humans to be incredibly resilient, especially when we turn to Him.) Still, we feel the effects of everything that has changed, and it’s not all new puppies and quality family time. Each family’s experience is a little different, of course. Across our nation, though, kids are more isolated, more anxious, and on their screens more. It’s reality for many, but it’s not how any of us want it to be.
I’m a little (or a lot) biased, but the needs of kids today (community, social interaction, security, reassurance, fresh air, hands-on experience, and guidance) shout SUMMER CAMP to me! These are the exact things summer camp specializes in. Let me explain:
Camper making a silly face
Interaction with peers!
At camp, kids are moving through their entire day surrounded by friends their own age! Bonding through new adventures, shared experiences, and unstructured play times, campers strengthen new and old friendships. With their counselor’s help, they navigate conflict in healthy ways and learn to get along with people who are different from them. Camp is a supportive environment where social skills grow!
Campers playing a game on the rec field
Outdoor time!
Whether hammocking on the Cove or competing in a high stakes canoe race, campers experience the benefits of nature all day. What benefits, you say? (Has it been that long?) Fresh air, sunshine, and movement improve health and mood, and even lower stress! The Bible also tells us God’s character is revealed in His creation (Rom 1:20): His majesty in the heavens, his beauty in the details… Have you seen a mature Big Leaf Magnolia tree or eaten a mayberry off the bush? God’s creation is amazing and sometimes delicious!
Campfire on the island.
Learning more about Jesus Christ!
It’s true for adults and kids: Through prayer, praise, bible study, and Christian community, we come to a better understanding of even His most simple truths. Take for example, God’s promise to be with us always (Matthew 28:20), His power (Luke 1:37), and His attention to detail (Matthew 6:26), and His love for each of us (Romans 5:8). This season seems to hold a lot more problems for everyone, so we practice taking our problems to the one who has the power to do something about ‘em!
A camper and her counselor
Amazing Christian role models!
Mom, Dad, you are definitely still cool, and your kids certainly take all your advice and apply it immediately. Hear me out, though. What if a whole team of very cool teens and young adults were also investing in the growth and success of your children, and also speaking truth and encouragement to them? They could teach them fun games and keep them safe all at the same time, too. Sound to good to be true? Well, it’s not. It’s every single day of camp!
A counselor’s words and actions carry a lot of weight, and at camp your child is surrounded by an array of great role models, ready to share about their walk with Christ and encourage your child in their own relationship.
A camper learns archery for the first time.
Doing new things!
Unless you have a 250 foot zip line, a five-sided treehouse, and a selection of canoes, funyaks, paddleboats, and paddleboards for your 7 acre lake, and more (umm, can we come over?), we guarantee there’s a fresh new adventure for your camper. This year, we’re adding a few new experiences for even more fun! Kids draw confidence from trying new things and experiencing real success. No one is amazing at everything (volleyball will never be my sport, and that’s okay). However, with so many different activities and coaching from a watchful counselor, each camper finds something they love (even if it’s not on the schedule.).
Campers with the shelter they built
Kid-centered fun!
Campers are our priority! Everything is designed for the camper: fun games and activities for their age group, songs only an elementary schooler would love, appropriate bedtimes, and kid friendly delicious food. Counselors focus on the camper’s experience the entire time they are here, even praying for campers on their way to camp.
Campers at a supper cookout
Unplugged!
Camp is a screen-free environment, and campers are too busy having fun to miss their devices! We all know the blue glow of the screen is a little rough on the eyes. The constant attention-grabbing is exhausting. At camp, campers live their own story instead of watching others’ stories through a 5-inch rectangle. Real life is so much bigger.
Whew! Thinking about all of this makes me ready for camp right now! You too? ;) Even as the world changes, kids continue to need the unique qualities of summer camp, and this summer, it feels especially urgent.
Now, we know this list is incomplete (can the whole of camp ever really be captured in words?) so help us out. What does your camper need right now? What can camp offer your family?
Summer Camp 2020 Suspended
Formative Moments at Summer Camp
At Pine Lake Fellowship Camp, campers experience an authentic program filled with games, activities, moments, and conversations that point towards JESUS.
- The JOY in shared worship as the entire camp sings Jesus Loves Me (Camp style) around the campfire.
- The sound of a cabin group’s LAUGHTER as they walk across a sunny ball-field
- The FLAVOR of fresh mint leaves handpicked picked from the herb garden.
- The initial shriek of fear turned to ENTHUSIASM as a camper scoots off the zip line platform for the first time and realizes that he/she can do things that seem scary.
- The WONDER in a camper’s face as she peers into jars of preserved snakes and lizards native to her own backyard.
- The overwhelming sensation of the HOLY SPIRIT calling a camper draw nearer to Jesus
- The moment when a camper recognizes that he/she truly BELONGS to a community and are part of God’s plan
-
- Canoeing at Family Camp
-
This article was part of the August 2018 PLFC newsletter. Want to see what else was in that issue? CLICK HERE!
Be Bold
Sarah is a camper who came to camp this summer with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. For over a year, she wanted to take the step of baptism, she felt to embarrassed too bring it up with the adults in her life. Embarrassment and fear are two emotions that can hinder growth.
At camp, the counselors create a safe place and welcome campers to share about their faith or things they struggle with. Campers also can encourage and challenge cabin mates to take the next step in their walk with Christ.
Sarah felt comfortable enough to approach her counselor and share her hesitation and embarrassment to be baptized. Sarah received the encouragement needed to take the next step of baptism into her congregation. In the weeks after camp, her parents informed Pine Lake that she has asked about being baptized.
The song that we sing quite often at campfire is, Be Bold, Be Strong. It seems to fit quite well with Sarah’s week.
BE BOLD
“Be bold, be strong
For the Lord thy God is with us
Be bold, be strong
For the Lord thy God is with us
I am not be afraid; I am not be dismayed
‘Cause I’m walkin’ in faith and victory
‘Cause I’m walkin’ in faith and victory
For the Lord thy God is with us”
Praise the Lord for giving Sarah boldness to declare her call to be baptized and draw closer to Jesus!
This article was part of the August 2018 PLFC newsletter. Want to see what else was in that issue? CLICK HERE!
12
