Summer Camp

I was eight years old the first time I attended Camp Yorktown Bay in Arkansas. That week of cub camp was full of adventure as we went through all of the different activities summer camp offered. We went wakeboarding and rock climbing, and created crafts and ceramics. I enjoyed every part of it and became good friends with my cabin mates. I loved my counselors and couldn’t believe some of the things they had for us like water ski shows and rodeos; it was all so amazing!

After that summer, I knew that I had to go back! So, the next couple of summers I enrolled for junior week at camp and got to meet new people and make new friends in different activities. One of my favorite parts of summer camp was the meals. I ate so much it was a wonder that I could walk, much less run around the camp to my next activities! Yet, somehow I always managed to do just that.

The summer camp staff always a helped teach me new things or improve my current skills. The counselors have always been terrific and many of them have grown to be some of my role models.

By the time I turned 12 years old, I was baptized and knew that one day I wanted to work at camp. Turning 13 was a big step for me because that meant I could attend teen week at camp. So many new and exciting things were offered during teen week and the one I was most anxious for was “outpost.” “Outpost” is an event for all campers to choose an activity that lasts all day and night. I went on many outposts in the following years and attended many banquets, carnivals, agape feasts, ski shows, rodeos, and many more wonderful activities. I made many new friends, several who are still good friends, and many wonderful memories.

Every year that I went to camp, I would experience this incredible feeling that I can only describe as God’s Love. We had worship every morning and evening worship was filled with song service, camp news, and my favorite, the skits! The pastors that spoke to us each summer were a huge blessing, as were the counselors and other staff.

The year I turned 17 years old I applied to work at Camp Yorktown Bay. The only thing better than spending a week at summer camp, is spending a whole summer at summer camp! I was very nervous about beginning a job at camp, but I found a warm and friendly environment which welcomed me wholeheartedly.

Working at summer camp helped me realize all of the hard work people do to provide a functioning summer camp program. There were many days when the staff, tired from the day’s work, still gathered faithfully for an evening prayer for campers and counselors. Each morning the staff awoke early to have devotionals and ask for God’s blessings throughout the day.

I grew closer to God in my spiritual walk as a summer camp staff member and was able to give back some of the blessings that I had received as a camper. Summer camp has had a huge impact on my life. I’ve learned new skills and made new friends. But the biggest blessing has been spending time with God and learning more about Him and His love for us.