By Chad Hershberger

When you ask the question, “What is your favorite thing about camp,” a majority of our campers will respond, “The pool.” They enjoy swimming and splashing around on hot summer days.

This week, we had a whole week of extra water activities. Three stuck out to me. On Tuesday, I got the chance to go out to the pond to see some fishing in action. Then, our older campers went canoeing. It was a highlight for me to canoe in the pond with my son, who was a camper this week. The past two summers I’ve been reminded about how I enjoy canoeing. So, spending a half hour or so on the pond, looking at nature, getting a little wet, and being with my camper son was so much fun.

Yesterday, our village leaders planned a Water Amazing Race. I got to run a station in Maple Village called, “Water Limbo.” Using a hose, I made a water limbo stick that campers had to go under. They really enjoyed it and some even wanted me to spray them more. One camper told he loved being so wet!

We were all wet last night for campfire and worship. We held it in the pool! Songs were sung, skits were done, and we even had a floating fire! I got to lead the Orchestra Song from poolside. Pastor Jim Bricker, our chaplain this week, reminded us of how there is new life around us always. New life can be light in the darkness, like a kind word or a smile. In a world filled with darkness, it was good to be reminded of that.

As I thought about this week at camp, I was reminded that in it all, water reminds us of baptism and that we are children of God. We got to remind our campers of that this week. We got to play in the water and be cooled off when the sun was hot. The number of smiles and happy voices I heard this week reminded me that God’s love is present all around us. Isn’t that such good news?