I grew up in Canada, which many people think of one of two things: “Canada’s like living in a wilderness of continuous summer camps” or “They actually have summer there?” Yes. With its sparse population in most places, Canada has lots of wilderness areas, and for a short period of time, we actually experience summer warmth.
It’s the perfect stage for Christian summer camp since we love getting outside when it gets warm. We lived in an urban area and loved to enjoy the slower pace of summertime. My parents, who raised me in a great Baptist church, believed it was important to send me to a summer camp that was run by our association of Baptist churches. At the time I had no idea how privileged I was.
Summer camp changed my life.
No, I wasn’t saved at summer camp. But the little church I was saved in as an elementary school child encouraged students to attend their Christian camp. It was quite different from the summer camps of North Carolina that my kids experienced. (We didn’t even have running water other than the stream that flowed nearby into the lake!)
For most of my elementary, middle and high school summers, I was one of the first kids to register for our camp. From my young vantage point, I saw it as a time away from parents, a time to do things I didn’t get to do normally and a time to eat a lot of great food. (Yes, I was a typical boy!)
Now as an adult, looking back on my camp years, I see the hand of God using those summer weeks to alter the course of my life. Here are three ways summer camp changed me.
1. I made critical ‘campfire’ decisions.
Most Christian camps have daily Bible and music with skilled leaders and counselors directing the week toward the perfect call-to-action experience: the campfire. It was a time when (maybe out of tiredness and the saturation of Scripture) every student was given the opportunity to make a decision in front of peers, and most of us did. Some gave their hearts to Christ, some committed to following Jesus more and others decided to be better witnesses. I still remember throwing a log onto the fire and announcing to everyone that I was willing to do whatever God called me too. (Little did I know!)
2. I gained lifelong accountability.
Browsing through my social media feed, I can identify people I went to summer camp with. We stayed in the camp cottages together, ate together, created crafts together, competed in games together, worshipped together and made decisions together. They held me accountable then, and they do today. What a great way for kids to experience authentic church. Summer camp helped me understand that “doing life together” is the role of the church.
3. I was discipled into service.
Summer camp sharpened me. Throughout the year, my local church fed me spiritually but during the intense camp week, I was trusted to participate more. I acted in silly skits, sang worship from the stage and was even asked to lead Bible study in my small group. In fact, in my high school years, I returned to counsel students as a summer job. Summer camp was a proving ground for ministry to come. It started building the skills that I would use today to lead discipleship groups and speak at Christian conferences.
Should every student go to summer camp? Yes! It’s the best use of time and money if you want to change the life of a child. So, send your child this year – or sponsor a child who wants to go. God uses summer camps to change lives.
(EDITOR’S NOTE – This article first appeared in the May 2023 edition of the Biblical Recorder magazine. Mark MacDonald is a communication pastor, consultant, bestselling author, church branding strategist for BeKnownforSomething.com and executive director of Center for Church Communication.)
