For four years I attended church camp in high school and who would have thought I would still love it today. Better yet I love it even more now, and I’m not even a camper. I don’t deny the highs of teen camp and the way it skyrockets faith to new levels, but I also know it’s a way of replenishing faith and relighting a burnt out candle.
Saying teen camp in Hawaii is fun is an understatement. Teen camp in Hawaii takes on a whole new level of fun. It’s crazy and ridiculous and madness and fun. It’s a week of excitement to play games, excitement to make new friends, and excitement to learn more about God. There’s games where almost always someone is guaranteed to break an arm or a leg. There’s chapel sessions where teens shout out the name of Jesus. It’s a week of the Holy Spirit moving in miraculous ways.
Being the children’s ministry intern I don’t get to stay at camp all week. I get to go up a couple days of the week and get a sneak peak into what life is like, and from what I see it’s pretty amazing. I see glimpses of new friendships being formed. Friendships where teens are pushing each other in a closer and deeper relationship with Christ. If I’m there at the right time, I get to participate in praise and worship. Nazarenes don’t dance, but at camp everyone is on their feet jumping up and down for the Lord. I have so many incredible memories from my teen camp days, and I know these teens are having just as much fun. My prayer for them is that even though camp ends the feeling they get deep in their heart for God stays there.