The Mission of Year-Round Programs, Part III

By: Sara Knutson

Happy January, everyone!

The Christmas holidays snuck up on me, and as a result I’m writing the conclusion to this series later than I had intended. But no worries… it just gave me more time to ruminate on the ministry we do here.

The last two posts focused on the busy routine of our school year, and that has certainly continued. Even this January, a traditionally slower month, has our volunteers facilitating retreats 10 days as well as taking their own annual 2-day retreat. And after Easter we’ll again have retreats nearly every day. So why put in such long hours and so much energy into a nine month stretch that just manages to pay for itself?

Because, simply speaking, it changes lives. Summer campers will attest that their week at summer camp is life changing, especially if they come back year after year. But not all youth are fortunate enough, due to a lack of time or finances, to spend a week at Camp Gray. The year-round program addresses those students directly, by working with them in the context of their class or youth group.

Coming to camp as a class is powerful because students see one another and their teachers outside of the routine class setting. They struggle together, pray together, and grow together, going home as a closer class with a new sense of understanding toward one another. Those lessons of tolerance, perseverance, and understanding are lifelong.

Coming to camp as a youth group or religious education class is powerful because faith becomes truly real in a very new and personal way. Often for the first time, students meet college age students who find joy, peace, growth, and challenge in their relationships with Christ, and who are cool people on top of everything else! That kind of eye-opening experience often stays with a student for the rest of his or her life.

And unlike summer camp, the year-round program often ministers to the student most in need of conversion — the one who doesn’t even want to be there. Watching these students go home with a new sense of wonder about our faith is one of the most fulfilling moments for our year-round staff.

We’re incredibly blessed here at Camp Gray to make a difference in the lives of such a great variety of youth, adults, and families during the school year. And we’re particularly blessed to have the gifts and talents of our dedicated volunteers, who give of themselves on a daily basis to serve and grow with all those who come to camp. Without them, none of this great work could be done!

Three cheers for the year-round program!