When I was seven years old, I spent my first week at a summer church camp. Little did I know that camp would have the impact on my life that it does. Thirteen years: eight years as a camper, three years of being too-old-for-camp-but-too-young-to-be-a-counselor, and two years as a counselor later, I still become that little seven-year-old girl when it comes to DBA children's camp in the small town of Adrian, Georgia. Being involved with church camp is one of the best things I have ever done in my walk with Christ. It is an adventurous week, to say the least, but I would not change it for anything. Five days and four nights-- that seem to be filled with the longest hours that somehow fly by so quickly-- bringing nothing but glory to the Kingdom of God makes your heart smile.

1. You start preparing for camp months ahead of time.

Church camp songs--old and new-- flood your mind. The countdown to camp is a greater feeling than waiting for Christmas as a kid. You begin to pray for the kids in your cabin even if you don't know their names yet. You start saying all of the chants and cheers while stocking up on decorations and costume items.

2. You sing church camp songs all year (while doing every motion).

It starts off as simply mumbling a lyric every now and then but quickly turns into a full-blown jam session complete with all the motions and lyrics.

3. You aren't afraid to be a kid.

You wear crazy outfits and accessories. You jump up and down while screaming to the top of your lungs. Not only does this make camp more fun for you, but it allows the campers to open up as well. If they see you being silly then they know they are able to let loose as well.

4. You get just as competitive at rec. time -- if not more- than the campers.

Recreation time is a time for the kids to get outside and release some energy. The counselors try to persuade the campers that winning doesn't matter but deep down we are also in it to win it. Have a rematch for the other team to receive 50 points even though we just won? NO WAY!

5. You have a love/hate relationship with the meals.

The food...Oh, the food. You are forever thankful you have food available to you but some times it is not of the best quality. You find food that is brought for the counselors and tell yourself you will live off of it but by the end of the week, you are right there in filling up on all of the cafeteria delicacies with the campers. Pizza, ice cream, and chocolate pudding with Oreo's? More please!

6. You feel like it is your home away from home (despite the grossness factor).

Church camp is your happy place. You are surrounded by brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as those you have been hoping and praying will accept Christ as well. Every worry seems to disappear and everything seems right in the world-- even if it is just for a few days. You can feel the grasp of God's arms surrounding you more tighter than ever.

7. You're so tired that the thin twin mattress feel luxurious.

When you first see the mattress on Monday afternoon, you tell yourself that there is no way you will be getting any sleep at all this week. By the second night, you all fall asleep almost as soon as your head hits the pillow.

8. Your cabin truly becomes like your family.

The group of kids in your cabin for the week become like your children (even if they're only 5 years younger than you). You tell them goodnight, wake them up in the mornings, make sure they have eaten, help them clean the cabin, talk about their problems, check on them at all times, and-- most importantly-- make them feel loved by you, other counselors, and God. The relationships you form with the kids is a bond you will forever cherish.

9. You get to see the true definition of "child like faith."

Matthew 18:3 says "and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." God clearly instructs us to become like children with our faith. The campers find joy, love, and God in every aspect of the day. You had chicken fingers for lunch? That's totally a God thing. You won at Gorilla Beats The Man? Man, God had that planned for you. It is raining so we all need to stay in the building together for an extra hour just for safety? Ooooohhhhh yeah, God knew we wanted to stay up an extra hour tonight!!

10. You get sad for camp to be over.

Despite your feet and body aching, your voice being half way gone, and being overtaken with exhaustion and sleep deprivation, you get sad when its almost time for camp to come to an end. You have been surrounded by love and nonstop worship for a week. How can it be time for it to come to an end?

Church camp is more than just an area covered in cabins and kids. It is a place where you praise God first thing in the morning, before breakfast, after breakfast, before bible study, before lunch, after lunch, during free time, during rec time, before supper, after supper, and before bed. Bringing glory to God while showing kids how loved they are is better than any other summer vacation.

#ItsInMyDBA