Five Reasons Why You Should Consider Working at a Camp or Conference Center

Most people spend their summers on a beach somewhere, at a job earning the big bucks, or on their precious couch. The last thing some are thinking of doing would be working at a summer camp or conference center. What could be fun about making sure a bunch of kids take a shower and get where they need to be on time? The worker’s camp experience is more than that. It grows you in many different ways.

“Five Good Reasons to Work a Summer at a Christian Camp or Conference Center” by the Focus Series put out by Christian Camps and Conference Association gives us some reason why this task is hard, yet rewarding. First, working at a camp or conference gets you in touch with people. I liked how the article said “As a staffer, you become a partner with those you serve and a servant to those you lead.” That is very true, one of the biggest blessings in life is to serve others. You develop strong relationships with the staff you work with too. Reason number two, Peaceful setting, I don’t agree with this one as much. Because you are so caught up with all the activities you don’t notice the peaceful setting. Thirdly, it will provide you with an adventure. It would be an adventure of a lifetime. Fourth reason prompts spiritual growth. However, this should be one of your primary reasons because it stretches you like none other. One way it stretches you spiritually because you have to maintain your own relationship with God in order to help others. Lastly, reason number five, it will prepare you for the rest of your life. This is true because you learn how to work with people and children from all different backgrounds. Also because it stretched you spiritually your relationship with God is stronger. When you look back you will always remember the summer you worked at a camp or conference center.

Where Have I Been The Past Months...

Greetings from the gorgeous mountains of West Virginia! The brightly colored leaves were so beautiful during the fall! I can not wait until it snows! I now go to school at Appalachian Bible College! God has been stretching me a lot this semester through the preaching, classes, and devotions. My professors are wonderful and it is obvious they have a love for what they do and a desire for us to grow in our relationship to Christ. This semester I am taking Bible Study Methods, English Comp 1, Foundation of Camping, Practical Christian Service, Freshman Seminar, Apologetics, Ecology, Low Ropes and Initiatives, Basic Skills, and Camping P.E.

They have skills classes for Camping majors that are one credit hour. However that’s where the fun is. This semester my skills classes are Ecology, Low Ropes and Initiatives, and Basic Skills. Some skills classes they offer are Whitewater Rafting, Caving, Wilderness First Aid, Horsemanship, Rock Climbing, Backpacking and many more. My Favorite class would be Camping P.E and Ecology class. My homework for Ecology consists of finding a spot in the woods and going there every week for an hour to observe nature. It is a great time to do my devotions too.

One lesson I have learned this semester was from Ecology class. Trees get scars from lots of different things. The huge gashes do loads of damage. Yet, most trees still live, the scars heal, and the tree to fulfill the job God has given it. Happily, God does the same thing with his children. We may do something that leaves a huge scar on our life, but God lovingly heals it and use it to his advantage. We can reach and touch lives we may not have been able to before.

At ABC we are required to take part in a Practical Christian Service while we are students here. Appalachian believes that one of the best ways to train for ministry is to apply it. Some help their church in Awanas, teaching Sunday school, youth groups, and in the children’s department. We also have different ministry teams you can get involved in, such as: the evangelism team, nursing home team, Children’s Evangelism Fellowship team, Drama team, and Puppet team. I would like to get involved in either the nursing home team or the children’s program at Maxwell Hill Baptist Church, where I attend.

Some things I would appreciate your prayers on are that I would grasp what is being taught, do well on my homework, and that God will show me what ministry I should get involved with.