From Campfire to Candlelight:

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

-Matthew 5:14-16

I was recently asked to give my faith story to a group of high school youth at my church. The youth director knew that camp was a very important part of my journey, but perhaps didn’t realize that it wasn’t my time spent at camp as a camper that was so meaningful, but in fact the summers I worked on staff while I was in college.

Like many of today’s youth experience, I felt a disconnect from my church growing up. I was not engaged and fell away after I was confirmed. I attended youth events very sparsely (only if one of my friends specifically reached out and invited me).

In college, I was seeking a summer job. I remembered a place that I loved while I was a youth, and soon did some internet searches to see how I could get a job there. That place was Pine Lake Camp, an ELCA camp in Waupaca, Wis., and part of Crossways Camping Ministries.

Over the next four summers, I gave my entire summer breaks to be a part of a community. A community that cared for the youth we served, and to show them that God’s love is beyond our understanding and unconditional. I shared what it means to serve others through our partnerships with other churches and through our service to each other at camp.

I walked away each summer completely drained, ready to sleep for an entire week straight, and completely spiritually renewed and ready to spread God’s love to others I encountered.