Tastes of Camp

The Early Morning. “I’ll take a fat-free carmel latte please.” These are some of the more common words I hear first thing in the morning. Because youth pastors and volunteers are so important to our ministry, every day before the campers wake up, I’m in the snack shop making specialty coffee drinks for them. These youth pastors, for many of the kids coming to camp, are the key to creating lifelong followers of Christ. If I can make it easier for them to love on kids, that’s what I want to be about.

The Day. For most people on this property, action and noise are standard fare. The voice of a camp speaker, the music of the worship band, lighthearted shouting from inside the water-slide tunnels, cheers next to the volleyball court, a ping pong ball, a pool ball, and an air hockey puck. However, the day is not filled only with noise and action. Mid-morning there is silence, solitude, Scripture reflection, and prayer, as campers learn to spend time alone with God. During the afternoon free time, you’ll also see cabin leaders sitting at picnic benches with a camper having a conversation about Jesus.

Midday. At noon everyday, Youthfront embraces a spiritual habit called “Midday Prayer.” It’s the discipline of choosing to cease from all our extraneous noise and action for the sake of re-orienting our hearts and remembering that “unless the Lord builds the house the builders labor in vain.” We all gather in Youthfront Camp West’s chapel building where, for about 20 minutes, we reflect on Scripture and pray together: full-time staff, summer staff, teen staff, volunteers, and campers.

Staff Quarters. The days are hot typically, but behind the dining hall, where the staff apartments may be found, the shade slowly overtakes the grassy lawn starting at about 1:00. By about 3:00 , the area becomes perfect for playful children and good conversations with fellow staff members. While Abi plays with her friends Brody and Mason, Ali (the boys’ mom) sits and talks with Amanda as they sit in the outdoor furniture.

The Night. The night time roar of insects, bull frogs, and rustling leaves can be almost deafening. Yet in it, lies also a peaceful silence under the beautiful backdrop of the star filled skies. At this point most of the campers are asleep in their beds, but we staff are still awake. Around a small outdoor fire pit, we will sit for hours talking about the day and brainstorming how to do camp better... how to better reach students with Christ, assist youth pastors, and create an environment that fosters spiritual growth.