It is no secret that summer camps recruit heavily on college campuses.
I have friends that worked at camps like MeriMac, Kanakuk, Skyline, Alpine for Boys, Camp Desoto, and so many other great places. Personally, I chose to work at Camp Ozark this summer, located in Mt. Ida, Arkansas.
Camp Ozark is a Christian sports and activities camp, and to me, the best place in the whole world. Obviously, I am biased, and I am sure staff from other camps love those places just as much as I love Ozark. Based off of my experiences this summer, this is why I think you should consider spending a summer at camp.
I spent eight weeks at camp this summer. Those eight weeks were some of the most humbling, rewarding, and cherished weeks of my life.
My first two sessions, I worked as a store assistant, and my third session was spent as a cabin counselor.
When I went into this experience, I expected that I would be pouring into campers. What I did not realize, was how much the other college students and permanent staff around me would shape me. I grew by watching how they loved the Lord, and how they loved each other. I made some amazing friends from colleges all over the country who have influenced who I am today.
Working at camp builds character. We worked in the heat day in and day out, and during that time, I got to learn a lot about myself. I learned a lot about myself through how I led. My first sessions, I tried to be a team player with the other store girls I worked with.
We attended different schools, and we had a variety of personalities, strengths, and weaknesses, but we all worked together and bonded really well. It was difficult some days, watching some of my camp friends be counselors because that is what I was itching to do, but the Lord knew exactly what he was doing when He assigned me to the store.
I learned that serving God is not just always one-on-one discipleship. It's the little things too.
I was able to serve Him through stocking our snacks for our campers, I gained much insight from our morning store devotions, and I was able to pour into cabins as their extreme-serve.
I realized that I was able to give more than I thought I could, simply because I was so passionate about the work I was able to do this summer.
Even though we stayed up late chatting, and woke up early, I found myself refreshed each morning, ready to tackle the day. For me, camp was a magical place. It was so easy to feel the love God while surrounded by these sweet people. The atmosphere that camp provides is one that I miss constantly now that I am back in the "real world."
When third session came around, I got the privilege to work as a counselor, due to some circumstances. I was elated. I had a cabin of older girls, and their texts and Facetimes mean the world to me now.
I had so much to learn from them, and I did not even know it at the time. They taught me patience, and how to love them well. They are strong, and beautiful young women, and I admire each of them so much. My two weeks with these girls were truly some of the most challenging, but rewarding weeks.
I was able to get to really know and love them, and they each left an imprint on my heart forever.
Camp is not for everyone, I would be naive to believe that, but it is for many people. If you are on the fence about working at a summer camp this summer, I say do it.
"It will be hot." So what?
"I'll miss your friends and family." You will make friends that will become your family for the summer. Plus, getting handwritten letters from your loved ones ROCKS.
"I'm not really outdoorsy." You can slather up on bug spray and get some great sandals, and you'll be alright.
Whatever your excuse is, whatever is holding you back, I encourage you to take some time and really think about it. I greatly benefited from working at summer camp, and I cannot wait to be back as soon as possible. Weigh out all your options, but I hope you get to enjoy a summer as magical as mine was.
