In the summer of 2005, my eight-year-old self was packing up clothes, crawling into the car with my parents, and heading up the Poudre Canyon towards Estes Park, Colorado. On the recommendation of some family friends, my parents had enrolled me for a weeklong session at a summer camp called Camp Timberline. Nestled in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park, Camp Timberline was a Christian based sports and mountain adventure camp. When we first arrived at the camp gates, crazy counselors garnished in silly costumes welcomed us with open arms and audible excitement. Before I knew it, I was saying goodbye to my parents and being shuffled into the group that would be my cabin for the next week; I would be lying if I said this first goodbye was without tears and anxiety at spending a week away from my home.
Within a matter of hours, though, my worries had washed away at the excitement of what was to come. That following week was filled with fun, adventure, new friendships, laughs, and ultimately the growth in my understanding of God’s undying love.
This original summer was the first in a span of nine spent at Camp Timberline. Over time this lot at the base of Longs Peak became my home away from home, and the people my second family. I made memories that are so cherished and grew in my love for the Lord. During the third summer at camp, I gave my life to Christ and vowed to live in a way that honored him. Camp Timberline had an enormous role in crafting the person that I have become. In a few short months, I will be applying for a counselor position in the hopes of being able to positively influence campers in the way that I was so many summers before.
Although I could go on for days about the place that Camp Timberline holds in my heart, and although I am partial to my camp above others, this story is about so much more than reminiscing on wonderful memories. I am here to tell you just how much good can come from letting your children attend a faith-based camp based on my personal experience and firsthand observations.
One of the most incredible parts about participating in a faith-based camp is the friendships that grow in such a short span. I have no doubt that some of the friends I have made in my years at camp will be life-long. The people you are surrounded by are good and loving,and this does not only pertain to your fellow campers. The people who give there summers up to become counselors at camps like these are one of a kind. Counselors quickly become not only friends, but also leaders and trustworthy companions. The relationship between a counselor and their camper is so, so very special.
With these new friendships, campers will have the ability to participate in numerous adventures. Had I not gone to camp, I probably would never have hiked a mountain to watch the sunrise, attend a baptism of my good friend in a cold mountain lake, or zip-line over a herd of elk on the field. Summer camp was the location of some of my best stories, and I am sure this is not unique to just me.
The aspect that makes faith-based summer camp so special is that in all of the fun and adventures, Christ is found in the center. It was through camp that I learned what it looked like to be a Child of God, and learned what it was like to be known and loved. My knowledge of the bible grew, and for the first time, I was asking the hard questions that allowed my faith to deepen. In my summers at camp, I witnessed so many of my peers be broken down in ways they didn’t know was possible, and then commit their lives to Him. These lessons that we learned at camp followed us down the mountain, and I can whole-heartedly say that my life has been changed by the experiences in faith I had while at camp.
The positives of attending a faith-based camp do not end at these few examples. In fact, they go on, and on, and on. If you are a youngster on the verge of asking your parents or are the parent looking into summer camps, let it be known I recommend it with all of my heart. Camp Timberline happened to be my place of choice, but there are so many others that offer just as much. Take that chance, and you will see how incredible this experience can be.
