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How Camping Helps Disciple Children
Kaysen Uhrich
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By Dave Sekura , Executive Director of Manderley Christian Camp
Abby was the first camper I would catch on the zipline . I was trained , ready , and waiting on the side of a hill here at Manderley Christian Camp . On the opposite hill , my staff member yelled , “ Clear !” I yelled back , “ Clear !” Abby reluctantly took that big step off the platform , then let out a scream which was soon replaced with laughter as she zoomed across the chasm . I caught her as she zipped up my hill and asked her , “ How was it ?” She said , “ At first , I was afraid to take that first step , but after I did , the fear went away . It was really fun !” As I was disconnecting her lead line from the cable , I simply said , “ That was a great faith lesson , Abby . Sometimes God will ask us to do things that seem scary to us at first , but when we take the first step of faith , the fear goes away . Action cures fear .” Abby and I had a moment of discipleship on the side of that hill this summer . I ’ ll always remember Abby , my first camper on the zipline . When Kaysen came zipping to me laughing and yelling , “ Mashed potatoes , mashed potatoes ,” my comment to him probably wasn ’ t as profound ! All I had at that moment was , “ Kaysen ! Taste and see that the Lord is good ! And I hope you have mashed potatoes for supper tonight !”
Camps provide some of the best opportunities to disciple children beyond the four walls of our churches . There is a feeling of being unplugged and removed from the norm to a place away from the influence of the world . We gather on a secluded piece of property dedicated entirely to ministry . Every moment of every day is designed as a potential platform for discipleship . As we escape from the constant distractions from the outside world as we know it , we are in a better place at camp to hear God ’ s voice . Our camp is in the hills of East Tennessee . We understand that God speaks to us on this mountain so we can produce fruit for Him in the valley . Our opportunity is brief but profound .
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Discipleship among the children in the camp experience starts with the camp staff . The staff counselors are the spiritual superheroes ! They have dedicated themselves to ministry and discipleship of children and are serious about every aspect of the program having a spiritual impact . The outflow of their walk with the Lord leaves an impression on young lives who realize that knowing and following Jesus is real and desirable .
Many children don ’ t have a spiritual mentor in their lives . Camp staff can model Christianity 24 / 7 as they journey with children for a week . It ’ s a responsibility that they desire . The summer staff is serious about fun , too ! They understand the program is their vehicle to see children laugh , make new friends , gain new confidence , and eventually drop their walls . When that trust is earned with campers spiritually , the seed of the Word shared in devotions and chapel has a better chance of finding receptive soil in their young hearts . A decision made in that week of camp can reverberate throughout their lives .
30 THE RENEWANATION REVIEW