More than Camping

For the last week of July, I decided to volunteer at camp. It’s a Bible camp called Camp Lebanon. I had interned there in college for marketing and loved every minute of it. I’ve also been to young adult retreats there. I was so happy to volunteer for the ministry that I got to work for. I also believe every kid should go to camp at least once growing up.

I grew up going to camp, but technically a different one. I started going to Koronis Bible Camp from literally the beginning of my life because my entire family also grew up going to camp, and it’s a family camp so we all would get in the car and head to camp for at least a couple of days every year. Unfortunately few of my friends went to the camp as I got older and after switching churches it made sense to go to another one for a few summers. But that one certainly wasn’t as good as either of the others. That’s part of the reason I was so happy to discover such a wonderful place with wonderful people at Camp Lebanon. Though I was fortunate enough last year to get the chance to volunteer as a counselor at Koronis Summer of 2017 and I wouldn’t be in Praxis actually if it weren’t for that week at camp.

I love being at camp, and that’s a lot for a city/suburbs person like myself. It’s always been a chance for me to meet new friends spend time in chapel services praising God and getting away from the day-to-day. I’ve been so encouraged by different camp staff and other campers over the years. I’ve met one of my best friends through camp events – even if we didn’t become friends right away – without that original connection it would’ve been more difficult.

Both my parents counseled at camp, different camps but summer Bible camps none the less so it was always prioritized. They encouraged me in my desire to volunteer and work at camp, and it has changed my life in more than one way. From being informed on Praxis, to meeting a new friend and going to her wedding, to learning about camp retreats and making friends that I go swing dancing with actually.

Going to camp I loved everything from the music to the lessons that were usually pretty well geared to my age at the time, to playing fun games, to learning one of my favorite hobbies: water skiing. Now my entire family loves the sport and although it took me a while to come around camp definitely allowed us to build that passion as a family – even if we’re not amazing and can only go once a year.

In addition to these experiences, throughout my time attending my church youth group as a teenager I got the privilege of going on church retreats multiple times a year. These experiences were all at different camps and sometimes at convention centers, but had a similar core experience that I was able to find familiar and find similar joy in. I also went with my youth group each time which had its own added element of fun. Since having been in college I’ve been a volunteer leader for junior high ministries at my church so I still get to go on these trips.

Going to camp challenges kids to be away from their parents in a positive way, to have their own adventures, to learn about something different from school in a powerful way, and to each way to much candy at the camp canteen… but it’s all part of the experience. So whether you’re young or old spend some time at camp even just for a weekend and let yourself be immersed in the experience.