Two days ago, I (Steph) got back from church camp. I was there as an adult leader (like camp counselor, but with more bible study and less archery)!
You may have noticed that we didn’t mention anything about an upcoming trip to church camp. That’s because I didn’t know I was going!
Here’s how it went down
I was sitting at church a few weeks ago (Gene was on stage playing bass in the church band – that’s another story for another day), and I got a text from Hannah, the youth pastor, inviting me to church camp. I have been volunteering with the youth group for a few months now and have been enjoying it.
Camp was taking place the week after the 4th of July. She texted on June 28th. I had 8 days before the van left the church parking lot. Would I be on it?
Why I said yes
I was sitting by myself in church (Gene was backstage with the band) listening to the pastor talk about the book of Acts. That week’s message, in particular, was about listening for where God wants us to go and what He wants us to do. As I’m hearing this message, I get the text from Hannah.
Hannah’s text said (paraphrasing here): hey – we had a last-minute cancellation from one of the adult leaders for high school camp next week and I know it’s short notice, but I was wondering if you would be able to come along?
The timing of this invitation was pretty amazing. Gene and I were going to the lake for the 4th of July weekend. After that, he was going to go back to work but I had already extended my holiday weekend by taking that Monday through Wednesday off. Why? I had no specific reason. I just wanted some down time to read and relax.
So not only does the sermon talk about being sent somewhere by God, I had already asked off work for most of that week. From where I sat it looked a lot like God was sending me to church camp.
The experience was incredibly unique and interesting for me as (in my opinion) a bit of an outsider and a newcomer to this church. I’ve been back for a few days, and I wanted to get down my thoughts before they started to blur around the edges.
The amazing parts
First, the good stuff. The camp experience was really energizing. The entire camp was a deep dive into the book of Ephesians. It’s a short book of the Bible; easy enough to unpack to an auditorium of teenagers in 5 days. Twice a day we had a sessions that walked through each of the chapters. The speakers were great (more TED talk, less sermon) and did a great job of helping the teens understand how the content of Ephesians applied to their daily lives. I took a ton of notes and learned so much!
Each session also included a mini concert of worship music that rivaled any concert I’ve been to. Everyone knew the words and sang along with the band. The music was energizing and catchy and I still find myself humming the tunes as I go about my day back in the real world.
After each session we have 20 minutes of quiet time to reflect, followed by small group time. I was helping an experienced leaders(because I am NOT qualified to guide anyone at this point, much less a group of teenage girls) and was amazed to watch the interaction of this group of girls. They were open to sharing their thoughts, had great questions, and really encouraged each other. It was really amazing to watch.
Of course, the people as a whole have to be included in the amazing part. There were over two thousand people there and literally everyone was kind, positive, and polite. The group from our church (almost 50 of us, kids and adults together) made me feel welcome and did a great job of including me, even though they barely knew me.
The one less amazing part
I came home with so many blisters on my feet! According to my fitness app, I walked 30 miles in 5 days. That is 6 miles per day! I am convinced that everything at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln is 15 minutes away from everything else. Headed across campus? That’s a 15-minute walk. Headed to the building right next door? That is also a 15-minute walk. I swear, the laws of physics do not apply there.
I was incredibly unprepared for the amount of walking. I did not bring the right shoes, and I would have packed a smaller backpack for carrying things around all day. Luckily, Lincoln, Nebraska appears to be very flat, which made the interminable walks a little easier to bear.
Would I do it again?
I would 100% do it again. The kids are amazing. The experience was amazing. And I got so much out of the week at camp. But I would pack MUCH differently, knowing what I know now!
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