A place and time apart...

So, I am officially a new convert to the idea of camp ministry! These last couple of days at Camp Yolijwa were my first ever at a summer camp, and they rocked my world... In only a few short days, amazing transformations happen in the lives of these young people. In very bold and exciting ways, these campers learn that they are cool, they have friends and people who care about them, and that God loves them. In only a week... it truly is a place and time set apart where amazing things happen.

This week Yolijwa had campers from DCS/ foster care AND 'regular' kids. What was so incredible was that just by looking at them you'd never know which were which... which is kind of the point of this project. In some ways kids are kids. All amazing and resilient, and all vulnerable in different ways. I was really amazed by this particular group of kids, though. They got along sooo well! The older kids (13-14) were really good with the younger ones-- not just 'babying' them, but also playing with them. Also, the boys and girls got along great. There were VERY few disciplinary issues as far as I could tell. The campers all wanted to be there. Of course, at the beginning some of them didn't... The older ones especially thought they were too cool to participate. But, by the end of the week they were the most vocal and visible participants! A couple of the 14 yr old boys were a bit of a handful and would get a bit wild, but as the counselors and staff kept reminding them they're the role models for the littler kids, they seemed to respond positively.

Role modeling is one of the key features of camp, it seems. Not only big kids to little kids, but also counselors to campers, and even senior staff to support staff. There's a lot of positive influencing, encouraging, supporting, and affirming that goes on. Executive Director of Camp Yolijwa (and their partner camp El Camino Pines), Anthony Briggs, says that when he's hiring staff he looks for good role models. Folks who are well-rounded and diverse, honest, trainable/mold-able, and have good boundaries, and who are not afraid to talk about their own fears, struggles, and faith journeys (with their peers and the campers). He says that spiritual development happens among the campers when they can see their positive role models modeling happy, healthy, and most importantly fun faith lives!

When we'd ask the campers what their favorite parts of camp were for the week, so many of them said, "everything!" It just goes to show that with just a little bit of good weather, some outdoor games, one-on-one interaction between awesome adults and kids, a whole lot of patience... and silliness, and a lot of love, great youth ministry is possible!