Why I am still a camp counselor at 40

Rock hard camp beds.  A room full of 80 hormone raging, loud, energetic middle schoolers.  Messy games that usually involve shaving cream.  Kids who don't want to go to bed.  Why do I do this to myself every summer? Why do I volunteer to drive 5 hours to eastern Washington and serve at Camp Calvin?

Because I am sure the Christian Reformed folks that strarted Camp Calvin decades ago knew the middle schoolers of our region (Oregon and southern Washington) needed to get away in a picturesque place and grow in their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Though the middle schoolers of today are not much different than the middle schoolers back then, I believe camp is needed now more than ever before.  Our middle schoolers are constantly distracted by screens, social networking, and advertisers demanding their attention.  Their schedules are jam packed with activities.  We as parents want to give them every opportunity.  Even we don't always give them the chance to simply slow down from running from one thing to the next.

I am not the twenty something youth leader I used to be.  I need my morning coffee to wake me up.  I crave bedtime by 10 pm.  I would rather be a line judge for Capture the Flag than chase people.  I am nostalgic for the music that was popular before they were born.  If I "dab" for the camera or carry a fidget spinner, I look a bit foolish.  That is OK.  Because my former pastor in the church where I served four years as a youth director once shared, "You need to love Jesus and love kids...and that's enough."


It sounds so simple, doesn't it? And it makes perfect sense.  Yet it requires a giving of yourself--
comfort levels included.  It is not always easy and it does not come naturally either.  It is hard when you want to share serious topics and middle schoolers are distracted by everything...or take you way off topic.  But there are moments where you see them "getting it" and reaching a milestone in their faith. Then you remember why you signed up for this.






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