This summer, North Park students were active, participating in NPRESS, summer courses, Kids College, and serving at Covenant Camps nation-wide. Three students shared their experiences from their camps in their respective roles, in part made possible by North Park’s Camp Grant, awarded to students who serve at Covenant summer camps.
Barrett Loehrer – Lake Beauty Covenant Bible Camp, MN
I found myself in a unique situation at the beginning of the summer. I needed to decide between working at camp for the summer, or maintaining my double major in biblical and theological studies and exercise science. After a couple months of painful prayer and discernment, I felt this summer at camp was one I could not miss. God continually pointed me forward to the summer at camp. I lived here for the 2014-2015 school year as part of Solid Rock School of Discipleship. However, I had never worked for Lake Beauty before.
Our theme for the summer was “Set Free”, based upon the text of Galatians 5:1. Indeed, I personally felt set free in new ways, along with the rest of the summer staff. However, it was seeing kids set free in powerful ways that made the summer worth it. The campers were set free to vulnerably share their struggles with sin and difficult questions with one another, allowing even greater freedom through prayer together about such things.
It was impossible for us to predict how any camper, or which ones, would react to the preaching of the Gospel. It became apparent to me once again that I was not in control, though I sometimes wanted to be. This summer God reminded me that He is sovereign over everything and that everything, including our calling to salvation, is entirely dependent upon His mercy.
Hannah Geil – Cascades Camp and Conference Center, WA
I have successfully worked at camp for three summers now. I vividly remember sitting on the corner of my bed in Anderson, watching one of my good friends apply to work at a camp that was only four hours away from my home. She shared stories of how exciting it would be to venture away and serve God in the middle of the wilderness. This gave me flashbacks to when I had attended that camp for small retreats and I relived the joy those gatherings brought me in high school.
My first year I worked as a counselor. This is a special role that can truly show you what it means to pour out everything for Jesus, loving your kids 23 hours a day for every day they鈥檙e in your cabin. My second year I worked as an S.A.L.T. Crew Leader. This meant my partner and I were assigned high school students who were transitioning from being campers to being leaders and guides in the cabins and around camp. It was a summer that revived my love of helping high school students and reminded me how good my God is.
Finally, this summer I worked as a Rec. Leader for a 4th-6th grade section. The Program Leader and I kept the camp moving along. We were the support system for the counselors, ensuring that they and their campers made it through the day smoothly. I oversaw the planning and leading of聽all the games and activities for the kids, making camp as fun and exciting as possible for the kids. It was one of the most rewarding summers for me. I saw just how awesome God was using each counselor to teach these kids more about him. It was incredible to see counselors turn into screaming children full of face paint, engage kids with the Bible, or moved to tears as they said goodbye to campers each week. No matter how rough the cabin was or how exhausted the counselor was, they always wished they had more time to love on their kids.
Kaylyn Sweitzer – Mission Meadows Bible Camp, NY
This summer I had the honor and privilege of being the Jr. Staff Director. The Jr. Staff are full-time summer staff members of high school age that are hired on as the kitchen and cleaning crew. I mentored them in that way, but I also guided them spiritually and emotionally, leading them in the direction of pursuing counseling once they鈥檙e older.
God showed up in so many instances this summer: while listening to the tolls of the Chautauqua Bell Tower during First Word by the flagpole (at 7:45 am), late night staff worships, daily chapel sessions, within every gorgeous Chautauqua sunset, and especially in the changed hearts and minds of both campers and staff. It was so refreshing and exciting to see young people encounter Christ for the first time, and it was a real privilege and blessing to play such a large role and have so much influence in our campers鈥� lives. God used us staff members to change campers鈥� hearts and to draw them closer to Him 鈥� what a spectacular thing to witness and be a part of.
My co-director and I both firmly believe in leading by example, and honestly, some of my best memories from my time at camp this summer involved moments in the kitchen. I found myself looking forward to spraying sticky maple syrup off of dozens of plates if it meant being able to belt along to the soundtracks of 鈥淟a La Land鈥� and 鈥淗igh School Musical鈥� while doing so. The joy and satisfaction I receive from sharing the Light of Christ with young people are incomparable.
萝莉社’s Camp Grant has been around for over 20 years, encouraging North Parkers to serve at Covenant Camps during their summers. The grant provides a financial incentive and promotes North Park’s goal of Living Lives of Significance and Service by making summer work experiences at Covenant Camps more financially viable. The grant is awarded to those who display a servant attitude and are positive role models for campers and staff.
Keep serving at camp on your radar for this upcoming summer! Check out a list of covenant camps by following the button below!