“I can’t imagine my life without camp.”

- Elizabeth, age 16

Six years ago, camp transformed Elizabeth’s life. Her first week at resident camp, she found herself a little homesick and a lot unsure. The first night, a Carolina summertime thunderstorm kept her awake. As she lay in bed, homesick and a little scared, she wondered what her week at camp would hold. As her thoughts wandered between her family back home and her cabinmates and counselors in her cabin, she realized she was not the only one awake. Her counselor was at her bedside, making sure she was okay. She stayed with Elizabeth until sleep finally came. “It was the little things like that that made me fall in love with the people and the camp…by the end of the week, I never wanted to leave.”

Every summer for the past six years, Elizabeth has returned to the camp she loves. Camp plays a huge role in her life year-round. “Camp is the place where I learn about Jesus, beauty, and life…the community here made me aware of possibilities I had never imagined. It redefined my understanding of love, sacrifice and creation. This community provides the support I need to remain faithful to God.”

This past summer, Elizabeth joined the summer staff for the first time as a Jr Counselor, giving to others that same safe, fun, and loving environment she herself enjoys. “I wanted to take part in that and be one of those people who can change a life.  I always looked up to the counselors. I wanted to be a counselor ever since I was still a camper because they were kind, loving, good Christian role models who were real and down to earth, and cool.  I wanted to be just like them.”

Today, Elizabeth holds onto a leather bookmark that a camper made for her this past summer. Pounded into the leather is her name, each letter pounded with care by a camper impacted by Elizabeth’s ministry. It reminds her of the powerful and lasting impact camp has on thousands of lives each summer.

"What is special to me about camp is not necessarily the curriculum, lessons or activities or anything like that…it is the people. Every summer offers a promise of opportunity, a chance to impact the life of a camper with the love of God, a chance to be impacted yourself. Every year I grow in some unexpected and new way. The excitement of growth brings me back to camp every summer. I wouldn’t want to miss it! I want to pay forward the gift that others gave me!”

Do you have a camper looking for a transformative experience? A community to belong to? A role model like Elizabeth? Don't let your camper miss out on an experience that may change their life. Sign up for summer camp today.