I don’t think I can adequately put into words the excitement I experience every summer as church camp approaches. It’s an excitement that you would think is reserved for the kids. But I can assure you that it doesn’t matter how old I get, how many years I’ve been going, or how much work and responsibility I have to make sure everything goes off without a hitch, I still get as excited now about Reelfoot Youth camp as I got 15 years ago when I was first asked to be a counselor. I really believe if I only had one week off of work to do anything in the course of the year I’d likely choose to use that week for camp. It is that special of a week.
Why is it so special? You really don’t want me to answer that question at length. I’m not arrogant enough to say that our week of camp is the absolute best there is (because I’ve never experienced any other week) but I’ll just say that if there is another week of camp that is better I’d love to be a part of it. There are many things that make our week at Reelfoot worth experiencing and I want to take the chance to recap a few examples from this year.
The first thing that stands out to me about camp every year is the campers. We’ve been fortunate to see the number of kids who want to participate in our week of camp grow every year recently. A few years ago when we restarted this week of camp we started with just 35 campers. Now in our fourth year that has grown to 75. In fact, this year we had a few girls who had to sleep on cots for the first time simply because we ran out of beds. But I’m not just excited about the number of kids we had this year. I’m always excited about the quality of kids we have. None are perfect and no week of camp goes without some minor disciplinary problems, but all in all I leave camp thoroughly impressed with the attitude of our campers every year. They are active and engaged in Bible class, they follow instructions, they accept the responsibilities assigned to them throughout the week, and they get along with one another. No, not every single one of them do all of these things, but in large part they do. As much fun as we have they know the main reason we’re there and that’s what helps make camp great.
The second thing that stands out to me about camp is our staff. I’ve been blessed every year that I’ve directed our week of camp to never have to beg for counselors. Every adult that comes on staff is as genuinely excited about coming as anybody. They voluntarily take a week off from work, a week they could spend on the beach, a cruise ship, or practically anywhere and happily come to Hornbeak, TN in the dead of summer. They teach Bible classes, play silly games, help volunteer in the kitchen and craft room, keep a watchful eye on the kids, and serve as valuable mentors and friends to everybody that is there. In fact, not only have I never had trouble assembling a staff, this year I was in the unique position of having to turn down people who wanted to come help but I simply didn’t have room for. I think if you were to ask the kids they would agree that one of the highlights of camp is being able to spend time with the adults they come to love, trust, and respect.
The third thing that makes camp so special is the amount of time we spend focused on God. No less than four hours per day are spent in Bible classes, chapel services, devotionals, etc. In addition to those times of organized Bible study and praise it is typical for campers and counselors alike to engage in Bible related discussions at any time in the course of the day. While all of this is typical there were two things that really stood out to me in this regard this year. One was a sweet young lady who decided to become a Christian on Monday afternoon. We’ve never been the type of camp that has experienced numerous baptisms in the course of the week. We might have one here or there, but I actually prefer it that way. I’ve heard reports of camps baptizing dozens in a week, and while I’m not condemning that or questioning the kids’ motives, I’ve witnessed several feel the need to be baptized again later in life who first did it at camp and cited the pressure packed atmosphere as the real reason for their baptism. I like to think of our week of camp as a buffer for kids to realize the need to be obedient and then go home and approach their parents, elders, and preachers who know them and their spiritual maturity far better than we do. The second thing about this year’s week of camp was a singing we had on Wednesday night that, if you were there, would have brought tears to your eyes. Earlier that day in Bible class we had talked about how worship is at its core a matter of heart and that night we sang like it.
The last thing I’ll mention is the fact that church camp is just plain fun. No, having fun isn’t the primary reason why we go, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a lot of fun nonetheless. In 5 days of church camp we play more silly games, basketball, dodgeball, mat ball, volleyball, etc. than most do in the course of an entire year. At camp we get to swim, play ping pong and foursquare, and go down a 175 foot water slide. Whoever said that Christians are no fun have clearly never spent much time around us!
So that’s a short recap of our week at Reelfoot Youth Camp. If you are, or have children or grandchildren, between the ages of 9-18 there’ll be information coming out in the next month or two about the date for camp next year. Keep an eye out and be ready to mark your calendars for RYC 2016. Let’s make it our best one yet!
-Andy
Andy or Randy as my kids refer to your as,
You do an outstanding job with camp. My son says this is the one week of the year he looks forward to more than anything and wishes it lasted two weeks instead of oneone. I want commend you on what you do with and for these kids. If you could have heard the way they talked about it vthe Friday they came home, it would blow you away. Of course this was KJ’s last year as a camper which was bitter sweet. Thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of our hearts for alp that you do, will do and have done over the past several years and the years to come!!! God bless you!!!
Thanks Deena. KJ and James are two special kids. Campers like them make the week much easier and much more fun!
I had the privilege to come on Wednesday night and help serve the evening meal and attend the singing. You are so right. It brought tears to my eyes. I was so impressed with all the campers. Not a single one came through the receiving line that did not say yes ma’am, no ma’am, please, and thank you. Such a rare thing in these days to see such manners and respect. Thank you, Andy for the great work you and your staff do to help guide these young people.
Allyson Thompson