ONE HAPPY CAMPER

Lakeside hall and cabin in the woods at Lake Nutimik, Whiteshell area of Manitoba, Canada
My favorite childhood Camp!

With the same anticipation I had for Christmas as a child, I looked forward to camp every year! As immigrants we could not afford camp. Our Sunday school offered an exciting option! All children who memorized 152 verses of Scripture a year received all camp expenses paid. Imagine that! What a snap! Every Sunday I recited my verses to my teacher who kept track and assigned the next ones. For 6 years camp was paid! My motives as a child were obviously not that noble. I just wanted to go to have fun. But God saw to it that I received the huge benefit of having His Word hid in my heart.

My very first camp at age eleven remains a blessed memory! Camp Counsellor Ida Hoffman told the stories of Jesus with such love. When at the end of one of her stories she asked, “Would anyone here like to invite Jesus into their heart?” I rushed up front. I understood that my heart was black with sin and that the red blood of Jesus would wash it white as snow. I accepted Jesus, became His child and someday will walk with Him on streets of gold. We even sang a chorus like that. Wow, I would be His forever! That same fall I was baptized because I wanted to obey His Word and show other people that I now belonged to Jesus and had received His Holy Spirit as my Teacher.

Life was not easy, but filled with insecurity and confusion. Many fears, uncertainties, difficulties and bewildering things I kept deeply hidden, locked in my heart because I reasoned that no one really cared or understood. But each and every year that wonderful camp time rolled around again. So what if every meal consisted of a 101 variations of Klik luncheon meat that had been generously donated! The truth teachings provided a firm, solid foundation. It was a time of spiritual thirst-quenching, hearty servings of the Bread of Life, and fun and fellowship around the lakeside campfires! Jesus was more real to me at camp than anywhere else! His awesome grace shone as the incredible sunrises over the lake, infusing new hope. That’s where I still go today in my mind’s eye when I want to be alone with my Lord, down by the rock at the shore. What a peaceful place!

No wonder that when I turned sixteen, even though I always had summer jobs, I gladly volunteered as camp counsellor. What a thrilling way to serve the Lord! Every summer was spent teaching at camp until I married and moved away. Teaching and counselling nurtured the children in the love of Jesus, but also provided excellent ministry experience for me. Lasting friendships and delightful, even hilarious, side splitting memories are mine forever. Camp is where I found the lover of my soul, Jesus. Children’s Camp was a crucial and significant time in my life, and still holds a special place in my heart.

Now as an adult who sees tenting in the back country or camping in a motor home a self-inflicted hassle and cause of stress, I do, however, find it refreshing to be removed from the duties and distractions of life for a time, to enjoy Christian fellowship in a casual, natural setting, and to soak up God’s Word in order to continue to grow in Christ-likeness. Camp creates meaningful memories! This summer, I encourage you to balance your activity, step away from your day-to-day work, enjoy a nature setting and meet with God to explore the deeper meaning of life. Become one happy camper and soak up the SON!!