Many like me will have served on some sort of camp over the summer and be reflecting on the experience.
Here are some of my thoughts as I consider the highs and lows, and ultimately how worthwhile it all is.
It's worth being upfront about some of the challenges: camps are costly. There is a high fee to be paid if a young person is able to attend, and an even greater cost for leaders. This often involves a significant financial contribution, time beforehand and then taking a week off work to serve intensely, often returning afterwards far more tired than we begun!
When the young people arrive, there may well be a feeling of being nervous and apprehensive, and of thinking 'What have I signed myself up for?' And the leaders who are meant to reassure them are often thinking the same thing...
So why do we do it? Here's a few reasons.
Firstly, the gospel turns everything on its head and that even includes what we do with our holiday. Jesus says, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive,' and serving on a camp is an example of this. It is so rewarding to give ourselves and to serve in this way that I can honestly say it is a better feeling that spending a week on a cruise around the Caribbean - give it a go if you don't believe me! (Although I won't pay for your cruise if you decide I'm wrong...)
Then there's the incomparable opportunity to spend proper time with young people; working at a church in youthwork we get two, maybe three opportunities a week to see young people, so a solid six days is absolute gold dust! Throw in then opportunities to talk about the gospel and those precious moments when young people respond and have serious moments of growth, and it is everything you want for an incredible week.
Finally, I think the best thing about camp is being part of a team who are giving their all for Jesus by serving the young people in a host of different ways. It's not always easy but that's part of what makes the experience so special. I have to hold onto Romans 12:15 all week: 'Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.' Everyone's experience on camp will be different and whilst there will be some rejoicing and weeping for all, there will be those working with young people who are all making massive strides in their walk with Jesus, and those who are leading a group who don't want to be anywhere near a talk from the Bible. This is so hard, but it is only by being part of a team we can get through it - and then more: having an incredibly special week alongside one another.
Those are my reflections and make me think that camp is definitely worth it! But other people might feel differently so if you have been involved in camps this summer, do make time to reflect honestly on both the challenges and joys of being part of them.
