Its very rewarding for me to see all the people at our Labor Day Family Camp. It always amazes me to see all the ways people are connected to the camp. People that used to be campers in years past that now send their kids here now. People that come here because they consider it one of the few places that they can retreat from everyday life and relax. We even had two women bring their families that were YAA counselors more than a decade ago. These are just a few of the ways that people have been impacted by and impacted the camp itself.
Considering that I have been here for only a year, Family Camps help me truly realize the impact that YAA has and the long history it already has. When you are in the midst of running around while directing a summer camp, you are not allotted much time to see how each individual camper is effected. By the reports of our summer counselors, I can say that 22 campers dedicated their lives to Christ for the first time ever this summer as well as numerous other rededications and the like. I always appreciate parents coming up to me and other staff thanking us for the change that goes on in their children's lives, and I appreciate the God that allows us to be a part of that change.
As I reflect on this summer season, I am at peace that God is in control of every outcome of this summer. We as a staff have poured ourselves out in the hopes that God will use our actions and means in order to "Direct people to Jesus Christ and develop them to reflect His Character." There's a reason why that is our camp motto, and we intend to continue with that as our mission.
Thanks to all of you who made this Family Camp a memorable one. It was a time to relax and connect with old and new friends. It was a time for you to recharge and disconnect from the possible troubles and responsibility of everyday life. It was a time to hang out with the family while shooting an arrow or playing carpet ball. As you already know, its not the events that are important here at YAA. It is the relationships that are formed and grow during the events that we try to encourage.
Now it is time to transition into retreat season. We have various groups come and rent out our facilities to them, usually on weekends. Though our interactions are not as direct as they are during our programs, it is always good to see people up here. Though next summer is still a long ways away, it is time to start thinking about it nonetheless. Thinking of ways to build upon and improve an already outstanding program. Thinking of ways to get the word out about our camp to even more people to attract more campers and summer staff.
I am now finishing up my one year internship at YAA, but don't worry. I'm not leaving anytime soon. I am staying on as staff for the next year. My role will basically be the Program Director. So, I still get to have the pleasure of creating all the fun schedules and lessons we have here. I look forward to continuing here at YAA with a year of experience here under my belt. I look even forward more to continuing to form more relationships with all the people that are connected to YAA. I love working at a place that I can contribute to an already rich history.
For all of those reading these blog entries, you can see this one takes on a little different flavor than the past ones. I want you to get a better understanding of the heart of the camp here as well as know some of the actual events that go on. I hope to get the rest of the staff to do entries as well. I don't want you to get tired of just hearing from me. We each bring our own passion and character to explaining why we are here.
So, as we transition into retreat season, I hope you also enjoy our blog transition as well. Thank you for all the ways that you are connected to this awesome camp. I look forward to seeing you soon.
David Denny
current intern, future Program Coordinator
