I wanted to write on summer camps for this issue, but having no experience with them I decided to investigate. I was surprised to learn that we have experienced campers and camp staff members within our office family.

Chelsey Cameron, an eighth grader at Ruth Murdoch Elementary School and daughter of Kathy (administration/women's ministries), is a real fan of summer camp. As I listened to her enthusiasm, she said, "It's so much fun being together with other kids your age and who share your religious beliefs. You make so many new friends that it's really cool. A lot of them come back each year so you can actually build close relationships. We look forward to seeing each other at least once each year. We have arts and crafts, music, sports of all kinds and religious activities. My favorite activities are wakeboarding and woodworking. I created a cute little box and a small stool suitable for holding plants. I really enjoy working with my hands."

A number of the children of our office staff started out as campers and went on to work in camp ministry. Wendy Eberhardt, the daughter of Karen Bekowies (education), is presently the director of youth ministries and camp director for Indian Creek Camp in the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference. Wendy has spent much of her life in the camp program—first in Ohio, then in Pennsylvania. Karen often shares reports of Wendy's answers to prayers and the powerful way God is working in the lives of the campers and camp staff.

Ryan and Justin Thurber, sons of Diane (communication), started their camp experience as little campers when their dad, Gary Thurber, was youth director in Michigan. Both boys agree, "That was the best job our dad ever had!"

Last year Ryan was boys' director and Justin was a wrangler at Timber Ridge Camp in Indiana. Ryan has recently just completed a year as assistant boys' dean at Union Springs Academy—an extension of his training at camp.

Reneé Pierce, daughter of Rodney (administration) and Rose Anne Grove (education), worked as a waterfront instructor at Wawoka Woods in Oklahoma where her dad served as youth director and her mom was the camp secretary and craft director.

Josie, Tyler and Ryan Burns worked at camp in South Dakota where their dad Gary (communication) was camp director. The boys also worked at North Star Camp in Minnesota after leaving the Dakotas.

Those are just a few. But, I also learned that a number of our office staff attended camp when they were young. I was fascinated to discover that Elisa Flores (treasury) attended the very last summer camp that was permitted in Cuba in 1964. One could tell that recalling her experience brought fond memories of friends and faith as evidenced by her smile. "It was a spiritual time. We were so close—all of us from all over Cuba," she said.

I asked Chelsey if she plans to go to camp again this summer, and she said, "Oh, definitely. If you don't go to summer camp, you have really missed a great experience."

Although I never had the experience of attending summer camp when I was growing up, I can see that something very special takes place on those sacred campgrounds that builds character and secures faith, and for many provides direction for a life of ministry.

We have six beautiful camps in the Lake Union, each with dedicated staff ready to help secure the faith of a young person in your life this summer.