One young person who received a swim band last summer wears it all year long. She can tell me on any given day how many days it is till camp, and how many months it is until she is eligible to be a staff member. A four-year staff member recently admitted publicly that working as a staff member has helped her choose a career. “I want to work at camp the rest of my life.”
What is it that causes this commitment to the camping experience? At Camp Wakonda it is the magical mix of ceramics, model rockets, water-skiing and cake decorating, combined with special campfire programs, horses and friends. Add to it committed staff whose highest goal is to model Jesus in such a way that leads each camper to love Him. The result is a week where Christian living is fun, and growing closer to Jesus is exciting.
Last year’s theme was "En Garde" (always ready). The focus was on the Word of God. From the decorations and evening campfire programs to the special Sabbath afternoon activity where campers interactively learned about the Waldenses and their love for God’s Word, our focus was Scripture. Each Friday evening as the young campers finished supper, the boys' and girls' directors took a cabin unit aside. In a special ceremony they presented the campers with their very own Bible. Those Bibles are a treasured part of the camper's experience.
Last summer each camper was given the call to commit their lives to Jesus. Sixty-seven percent chose to dedicate or re-dedicate their lives to Jesus. Sixty-two campers chose to study for baptism.
Each summer miracles happen on a regular basis. Fear is overcome through love; failure is conquered by success. Hearts hurt by personal life challenges find healing through the loving touch of Jesus offered by dedicated and trained staff members.
Already, plans are being made for this summer. Our theme is "Run the Race." With an Olympics background, campers will be guided to "run the race"—the race of life; the race that will lead them to eternity with Jesus. New activities will be added to the many favorites, and new campfire plays will highlight heroes of faith who took the challenge to live for Jesus seriously.
Because of its popularity, two weeks are planned for Family Camp. This means that Mom, Dad and the kids can all come to camp and experience the magic of Camp Wakonda. So whether you are between the ages of eight and 16 and want to come to camp without your parents, or are of any age and want to spend a special week together as family, Camp Wakonda is for you.
What’s so special about camp? Is it the newest activity that is the craze? Is it the friends who spend a week together once a year? Is it the swimming, skiing, archery and horseback riding? Is it the evening campfire? Yes, but it’s much more. It’s an opportunity for campers to see the love of Jesus portrayed and in action.
For more information, visit our website: www.wakonda.org, or call 608-241-5235 and ask for Aileen.
Mike Edge is the youth director for the Wisconsin Conference.
Camp Dates
Junior Camp, July 6–13 (Ages 8–10)
Tween Camp, July 13–20 (Ages 10–12)
Teen Camp, July 20–27 (Ages 13–16)
Family Camp I, July 27–August 3 (All ages)
Family Camp II, August 3–10 (All ages)
Camp Wakonda
Youth Department
Wisconsin Conference
P.O. Box 7310
Madison, WI 53707-7310
Call: 608-241-5235
Website: www.wakonda.org
