I was a camper at Sugar Creek Bible Camp for 11 years, and I still remember all of the names of my counselors and the names of my friends that I made while I was there. Sugar Creek holds a special place in my heart because when I first went there as a camper, I didn't have many friends and I also wasn't really sure what faith was because I was at such a young age. Over those 11 summers of being at Sugar Creek, I knew from that first week that I was going to be a camp counselor when I grew up! Sugar Creek holds a special place in many people's hearts, not just mine. Everyone who has ever been there has their own specific reasons why it was so special to them. Over the past few days I have interviewed a few friends that I worked with this past summer to tell us their story or their experience with Sugar Creek and why they think that other people should work there too.

My friend Kirsten Kirschbaum found out about Sugar Creek as a child because her church promoted it and they encouraged their youth to go. She went every summer after that until she could finally work there. Kirsten met her very first counselor, who had the same name and Kirsten thought that that was the coolest thing ever! She instantly fell in love with that place. Kirsten says as a staff member she got a new sense of what community is. She had never been in a place where right off the bat people care deeply for each other, but at the same time she was terrified. She says she was the "baby" there. She didn't know who she would know or what was ahead for her throughout the summer. Kirsten says that it takes a very strong faith to work at a bible camp. It takes ability to stand on your own but also to depend on others. It's compassion and community. She says people should work there because it will undoubtedly change their life. You get to form a community who is true and loving. They are always there, even after the summer months are over. It gives you experiences that you will never forget in your lifetime.

My friend Jacob Nachtigal found out about Sugar Creek also from his church and both of his older sisters were campers there. His first camp experience was when he was in 8th grade he was a settler camper. Jacob's first experience as a counselor was when he was an explorers counselor his first week. He was in charge of around 12-30 kids a day. He says it was basically the "on-camp-day-camp." Jacob says to be a counselor or staff member, you have to have a certain level of patience, but most of all, a lot of love! Jacob believes that working at Sugar Creek overall makes people more genuine and caring.

My friend Sara Ernster who graduated from Luther College heard about Sugar Creek from one of her sorority sisters. She told her that they were hiring and Sara was also looking for a summer job so she applied to work there. Sara's first experience at Sugar Creek was being welcomed by everyone on move in day! Her first experience as a counselor was when she was on the explorer program/support staff. She remembers helping a counselor with a boy in his confirmation group that was on the autism spectrum and got to share his love for drawing! Sara says it was a really cool bonding moment for the both of them! She says to be a counselor you need to have a lot of patience. She says that if you feel called to work there that you should definitely go for it!

I think that over all, if you have never experienced going to Sugar Creek that you should just go down for a day or a weekend and get a feel of it. I have done many retreats at Sugar Creek as a camper and as a chaperone. I believe that when people give Sugar Creek a try they will feel the way that Kirsten, Jacob, Sara, myself, and everyone else that has been there feels. I seriously suggest applying to Sugar Creek because it will be the best summer of your lives! I know for me, I can never get enough of that place. It's where I feel safe, loved and where I can truly be myself. Anyone can be themselves there. No matter who you are, you will be loved because God taught us to love others like He loves us. Like many people say, you meet the nicest people at Sugar Creek Bible Camp!