letters from camp
Staff training:
A peek behind the scenes
By Charles Maynard
THE VAN STOPPED in a swirl of dust, and the door opened. Young people poured out and stretched after their long ride to Camp Wesley Woods in Townsend, Tenn. They lined up to check in and receive a nametag and cabin assignment. Next, at a table equipped with shaving cream, paint, squeegee, and paper clips, they fashioned labels for their new packs. Then off to their cabins while others arrived for Holston Conference's summer camp staff training.
More than 110 young adults from around the conference and places as far away as Iowa and Florida, Mexico and South Africa, gathered to be trained for summer ministry at Holston's four camps last month. All three conference colleges had students and alumni in these ranks. The conference's five Wesley Foundations were also well represented this year. Amid the smell of honeysuckle and wild rose, these young people sang, danced, read the scriptures, prayed, shared, and learned.
The lifeguards returned from the pool each day worn out from their lessons in lifesaving. Other counselors practiced first aid, CPR, first aid, CPR, first aid and CPR. The lessons were about safety, safety, safety.
Bishop James Swanson joined Anne Travis and the Rev. Randy Pasqua in talking to the group about their ministry. Bishop Swanson thanked them for giving a summer to ministry, and then reminded them of their high calling and its responsibilities.
"Children will look up to you," he said. "You are their model. They will see Jesus through you."
Anne Travis, director of connectional ministries, expressed the conference's appreciation for their work. Randy Pasqua, our director of Camp and Retreat Ministries, said, "You are loved! First and foremost, I hope you know that you are loved!" He talked about the summer's theme, "Follow Me in the Footsteps of Jesus."
I'm amazed at the camp workers' dedication, playfulness, and energy. Only moments after a meal with noisy conversation and laughter, each person spent time in quiet prayer and study. Their talents are amazing. Impromptu concerts of guitars, mandolin, and bongo occurred before dinner. Campfire allowed others to shine under the starry skies and leafy canopy of the forest.
Earlier this month, the first of more than 3,000 children and youth began to arrive at Buffalo Mountain, Dickenson, Lookout, and Wesley Woods. It will be a summer of learning, studying, canoeing, cycling, climbing, horseback riding, fishing - the list is really too long. During training in late May, I saw a group of young adults work hard, very hard, to prepare themselves to greet these children in the name of Jesus.
As I sat around the campfire enjoying the smell of wood smoke and the sound of a hundred voices blended in song, it occurred to me that camp is not just about children and youth coming together for a week. It is also about these young adults giving their all to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
The Rev. Maynard is development officer of Holston Conference Camp and Retreat Ministries..
top
|
|
|
|
