Lessons From Summer Camp: Round 2

As I wrote my last post, "Lessons from Summer Camp," I realized that I could not keep my list to just five points! I learned so much during my time at Rocky Mtn. Camp and WaPac Camp this summer. So, here are five more lessons that rocked my world.

1) Avoiding volleyballs is a great way to connect with students: I do not consider myself a volleyball player. In fact, the last time I really played competitive volleyball was in junior high. In case you are wondering, I was on the "C" team. Yes, I said "C." (There was a "D" team and I wasn't on that, okay?). Anyway, so when the Woods End band decided to play in the camp volleyball tournament, I made no promises of contributing any mad skills. As the volleyball tournament unfolded, my main tactic was to stay away from the ball. I think throughout the day, I hit it three times. Yep. It's true. Yet, despite my lack of hand-eye coordination, the volleyball tournament ended up being a camp highlight. I loved connecting with students on the court!

2) My lingo totally changes at camp: In the two weeks I was at camp, I said "sup" way more than I ever do in normal life. Weird, right?

3) Lara Bars rock: Have you ever had a Lara Bar? They are so healthy, delicious, and the perfect way to get through a long afternoon at camp when you get the munchies.

4) Naps also rock: Just as Lara Bars can help get you through a long afternoon at camp, so can naps. Seriously though, I had to learn to make myself rest. I am usually a go, go, go person. Yet, before I left a friend and mentor of mine told me that I need to take time to rest, reflect, process, pray and discern. This means that I had to take time away from the hustle and bustle of camp in order to be effective in ministry. I learned that in order to give effectively, I had to rest effectively as well.

Trent Friberg, youth pastor from Centralia, WA. (Photo credit: Elevate Youth)

5) Youth leaders are invaluable: I love getting to know youth pastors and leaders at camps. I especially love seeing these folks pouring into their students throughout the week. As I spoke at the two camps this summer, I gained an even greater appreciation for youth leaders. As I spoke in the chapel services, I found myself feeling the burden of trying to speak to every students' needs in the room. However, I came to realize that I can only deliver the message that I believe God gave me, to lay the foundation for youth leaders to build upon with their students. After chapel, students had the chance to unpack the message with their youth leaders. Youth leaders know students better than I will ever get to know students. They have been on a journey with them before camp, and they continue to journey with them after camp. Students open up to youth leaders and process with them in deep, meaningful ways. I was thankful to have the opportunity to speak at camps this summer, but I truly believe that youth leaders were the main instruments of delivering God's grace and love in a personal way to students. With all of this said, youth leaders, thank you for all that you do for the Kingdom. You are indispensable. When you just want to pull your hair out, please know that you are making a difference.

- Carly