Kaden's Camp Experience

I have been coming to Camp of the Woods for as long as I can remember. My parents first took me with them to camp when I was very little and I have been coming ever since. I love camp and, although I have never been a camper, I have always enjoyed being involved there in some capacity. My first summer as Summer Staff was in 2023 and it was one of the best summers of my life. I went back during the summer in 2024 and 2025. Each summer I stayed for a longer period of time. For a long time the possibility of serving as a Ministry Intern at camp had been on my mind. Finally, after a lot of thought and prayer, I believed that God had opened the door for me to do a year-long internship out at Camp of the Woods. Before Summer 2025, I began raising support for this internship and God graciously provided me with the support I needed to start my internship in the fall.

Camp has impacted me in many ways over the years. It has helped me learn how to work hard, do a good job, interact with a variety of different people, and, most importantly, it has helped show me how to share God’s love with others through the good news of the Gospel. Before coming to camp, I had never really done anything like sharing the Gospel with a bunch of kids. It was unfamiliar to me. I was much more comfortable with the maintenance side of things at camp. I could mow lawns, stack wood, clean washhouses and work in the shop no problem. I enjoyed those things. Sharing devotionals in front of a group of campers, however, was not in my comfort zone. The amazing, and sometimes scary thing about camp, however, is that it is all about breaking down those comfort zones and causing us to look to God for strength. Since coming to camp and attending camp’s Staff Training, I have not only gotten to share the Gospel with kids, but I have learned that I actually enjoy it. I love spending time with and getting to know the campers during the camp weeks and I am excited that I get to be a part of sharing God’s Word with them.

While one of camp’s main goals is to share the Gospel with kids, camp is also a great place for the individual believer to learn and grow in his/her own personal walk with Christ. I have greatly appreciated the time I have been able to spend growing in my own walk with Christ while at camp. Morning and evening devotions, personal Bible reading, and simply sitting quietly and talking with God, are all things that have impacted my Spiritual walk while at camp.

I can feel God working at Camp of the Woods and it is really encouraging. I have really enjoyed being able to work alongside so many incredible people on the Summer Staff Team. It is truly amazing to me how so many people from so many backgrounds and situations are able to come together and work as a team in order to accomplish God’s purposes. Camp will always hold a very special place in my heart and I hope God will give me the freedom to keep coming back.