Camp of the Woods is a place I can call my second home or my home away from home. It has been a place where I can be one-on-one with God and strengthen my relationship with Him. I have been attending Camp of the Woods since I was 2 years old with my family. I remember for years being my mom’s little shadow while she was the camp nurse, or following my dad while he worked in the shop, or getting rides in the camp vehicle with him. I have been volunteering at camp for as long as I can remember.

The summer I was 15 years old, I was old enough to be a summer staff member. Even though I was on summer staff most of my life with my family, this time was different. I would be staying in the girls' staff cabin and be at camp without my family. That week, I was put in as a team captain and kitchen helper. That week was spent learning how to be patient with the Jr campers and learning how to help the campers know Christ through encouraging them to memorize Bible verses for the team. In the summer of 2021, I was able to work out at camp the whole summer and be involved in so many activities like wood stacking, specialized activity leader, being team captain, kitchen help, and even cabin leading for the first time. Being a cabin leader has taught me so much about my relationship with God and how important it is to rely and trust in Him if we want to maintain a strong relationship with Him. Each time I was a cabin leader or on support staff, I learned more about who I am as a Christian and a follower of Christ. I have learned how to build or strengthen the skills that God gave me to use towards the campers, either by teaching them about the gospel or leading them further in their faith by helping them memorize verses. 

Each time I am out at camp, either in the summer, winter, fall, or spring, I realize why I do what I do and why God keeps bringing me out each year. Not only do I do it because it is fun and I create so many memories, but I do it for God. One thing that one of the staff members said that always stuck with me was the phrase "we do everything for God". Cabin leader, team captain, kitchen help, and even cleaning the washhouse, I do it for God. Camp of the Woods is a special place in my heart, as it taught me how to live as a disciple of Jesus and taught me how to guide kids to Jesus. Camp of the Woods has been an important part of my life for 18 years, as it has allowed me to learn the importance of camp ministry, continue to grow in my faith, and overcome any challenges that came my way. Camp always reminded me of why I chose to be a Christian and attend Bible camp and it gave me the courage to step into the new adventures of Bible College.