The Beauty of Summer Camp
There is a nostalgic feeling I get every year when summer comes around. Once the leaves are back on the trees the summer sun seems to linger on into the evening. I pack up my car and head straight down I-20. Over 12 long hours on the interstate, I get a lot of time to think, until I get to the familiar Camp Rd exit. There is always a flood of emotions when I do this drive, a lot of reflecting, and a lot of anticipation for what is to come over the following months.
According to Newsweek, the United States is home to around 12,000 different summer camps which over 20 million campers attend each summer. What you are doing matters. Getting dressed up, playing games, and dancing to music is something that happens at camps across the country on any given summer night. Each event and party with a purpose helps friends, and soon-to-be friends, connect and break down barriers. The energy, laughter, and fun reverberates over all the noise from the outside world. Everything you are doing matters. Here are my two takeaways from working at different summer camps over the past 7 years.
1. Ask them their name and invite them in. This is practical for every day, but especially at camp. Campers are coming from all over the place, more often than not by themselves. They are in an unfamiliar place and surrounded by new people. Ask them their name, before they even have to introduce themselves. Jesus throughout scripture calls people by their name, often before they even know He notices them. In Luke 19:3-6 Jesus calls a man by the name of Zacchaeus out of the crowd and by his name.
3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
I would have loved to be in the crowd to see Zacchaeus’ expression when Jesus called him by his name. Names are so important. When we get to know people, we learn more about Jesus’ character. Take time to learn names and take time to hear stories from the campers and staff you are with during the summer. Show campers that they are known and invite them in. This seems plain and simple at first, but this is so important. This characteristic of Jesus is so evident throughout the Bible and with how he encounters and sees the unseen people, the people on the outskirts. Invite people into conversations, moments, and friendships.
2. Hold everything with an open hand. Ask anyone who has ever shared a cabin with me, I am an overpacker. But I like to call myself an “over-packer, with a purpose.” There are so many events and moments at camp that call for different apparel. Whether it be a skit night, an Olympic theme day, or Tie-Dye Tuesday, there’s always an occasion and something to get dressed up for. For me, there’s a special feeling when I get to share with my friends. This not only goes with belongings but also with time. Time is one thing that there never seems to be enough of during the day. My first summer volunteering at a Young Life camp that is nestled in the mountains of North Carolina we memorized Philippians 2:1-11. Since then I have continuously returned to these verses.
2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
When working in a community, especially a community where everyone sleeps, eats, and plays together for a couple of months, it is so important to know your “why.” Philippians 2: 1-11 clearly outlines our purpose. Our purpose is to move our lives to having the same mindset as Christ. Through this mindset, we can humbly serve our community with open hands and an open heart. Be prepared to share. Thoughts, scripture, clothes, but maybe not your toothbrush, they are on their own if they don’t have that. I like to say, hold everything with an open hand… if someone needs to borrow something or you have something that would help make their life easier, share it or offer it to them.
I love summer camps and how they bring people together so they can make memories, have fun, and give a mission to those who choose to take it on. But truth be told, that nostalgic feeling of excitement will wear off. The games and dances might start to feel redundant. You might not want to be running around all day in the lingering summer sun. But what you are doing matters. The campers and staff that show up to camp can get a glimpse of what a Kingdom-built community looks like. Campers might just get a glimpse of who Jesus is because of how you and your co-staff love them.
I pray that as we enter this next month of summer camping across the United States, that each camper, staff, and family doesn’t leave the grounds without knowing more about Jesus. I pray that each of you feels known and “purpose-filled.” I pray that you set your eyes on Jesus, even when the sun is hot and the time in the day never seems to be enough. I pray that your hearts, minds, and eyes are fixed on Jesus.
Love you, friends,
Hannah Black
Keep up with Hannah on Instagram @hannaheblack!
For more encouragement read: Hebrews 12:1-2. 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
