Why am I here at camp?

Since the summer of 2003, I have kept coming back every summer. My first summer here was one filled with new friendships and camp experience. I had a great time and the friendships I made last forever. However, the rest of that year back at home was one of my hardest years coping. A couple of months after I returned home I lost contact with my closest friends, thanks to lies that corrupted a church. I trusted no one and awaited for the next summer eagerly.

The second summer came and I was placed into a junior counseling position. I loved it. This opportunity allowed me to be there for kids going through hardships in their life and it gave me a chance to see kids come to Christ. It was wonderful to see. Along with my relationship with the campers my relationships amongst the staff grew as well.

I graduated high school in 2006. The next two years I worked in construction for four months, camp, and Winnebago. It was obvious to see that the people who I worked with, outside of camp, wanted nothing to do with God. They lived for the weekend. Alcohol, sex, and parties is the only thing that these people wanted in life. I didn't want this.

In the years of 2008-2010 I attended a community college in Northern Iowa called NIACC. It was a good two years of school work and knowledge. However, college focused on individual success. College didn't care about the truth. The only thing was to succeed in life and tolerate any one's actions no matter how wrong they were. I saw single mothers just out of high school. I observed young men as they searched for pleasure. It was messed up, yet we sit back and allow the children in our community and even churches to go after their desires no matter the horrible outcome.

I wanted to be a part of camp in order to reach out to those who came here. God has given me so many opportunities here at camp to minister to people through my actions. A good attitude is not always present at times, but I am learning the importance of representing Christ no matter how hard the task. God is good!