Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Spring 2014 Issue | Page 17

The Leadership Lab in Action
moderate disabilities. Not only is working at St. Elizabeth’s
a fun, amazing, rewarding experience, but it also helped
me discover my calling to the field of special education. St.
Elizabeth’s director Laura Lockey continues to be a valuable
mentor as I study to achieve a master’s in special education
at James Madison University.

I am immensely thankful for the role that Shrine Mont
Camps had in making me the person that I am today.

Youth and Young Adult Formation

Perhaps nowhere else is the Diocese’s commitment to youth
and young adult ministry more evident than at Shrine Mont
Camps, where over 600 youth and 100 young adults flock
each summer for fellowship and fun – with some formation
along the way.

This year, we continue on our Shout It from the
Mountain Campaign journey to keep Shrine Mont Camps
facilities safe for all. Part of this campaign will also include
the More to the Mountain Fund, which will offer scholarships
to campers in need, as well as make salaries for our summer
staff more competitive so that camps will reflect the true
diversity of the Diocese. At Annual Council, we invited three
camp counselors to share their Shrine Mont experiences.

Scott Waters

I first attended Shrine Mont Camps when I was 8 years
old. I’m actually a second generation camper. I think the best
way to tell you what I’ve gotten from Shrine Mont Camps is
to share a few experiences
Caleb Nelsonover the past nine years.
Amaker

The first summer, at age

I began working as a
8, I chose to attend Music
counselor at Shrine Mont
and Drama Camp. And the
Camps in 2006, and found
love of the stage, including
that those of us who
the confidence to speak with
start camp as adults can
you today, comes directly
experience everything
from the enthusiasm and
that we offer to our kids:
support that MAD Camp
an experience of God’s
counselors instill in their
welcoming love, a challenge
campers. When I was 12, my
Photo: Megan-Drew Tiller
to further our spiritual
grandmother, who I was
(Left to right) Shrine Mont Camp counselors Scott Waters,
journeys and a lot of silliness
incredibly close to, passed
Caleb Nelson-Amaker and Ruth Shuford lead Annual Council in
on the way. We can also
away. That summer, the
a spirited version of the Shouting Prayer before sharing their
learn the importance each
mountain restored her to
camp experiences with the group as part of the Shout It from the
of us holds as a member of
me. Through camp worship,
Mountain presentation.
God’s body.
amazing songs and long
We see firsthand how
lasting friendships, I felt her
a game is changed when
alongside God’s spirit.
a camper sits out, and how a theological discussion might

At age 15, I volunteered for the first time at St.
have been different had not an 8-year-old spoken out. We
Elizabeth’s. And it may just be a week away at camp, but for
see how vital we are as leaders and as participants in God’s
me, it forever transformed me as I gained an understanding
creation – that each opportunity to engage one another in
of living like Christ. I saw firsthand how volunteering my time
God’s love matters. This understanding is what Shrine Mont
and talent made positive impact on another’s life.
Camps inspire us to take from camp to school, to church and

I’m 17 now, and so much of who I am can be attributed to
to everything we do.
my years at Shr