By Chad Hershberger

Number 10: It was the first time it ever happened in 26 years directing this camp. Our first week of resident camp this year, on our camper evaluation, it read this: “What was your favorite thing this week?” I was very pleased one camper responded with “The Bathrooms!” Our new Maple Village Bathhouse, which we used for the first full summer, is a hit 

Number 9: We had a new master schedule this year. Instead of each cabin group constructing a schedule, we standardized the schedule for each age group. We also instituted another afternoon of electives and did worship together on those nights we were not overnighting. 

Number 8: Every Sunday night, we had dinner church. As part of our opening meal, we worshipped together and learned about the Colossians. Paul’s letter to them contained our theme verse for this summer’s curriculum, Wear Love. 

Number 7: Week 2 featured Scooby Doo Week and solving the Case of the Blue Mist. The Blue Mist is an old camp legend, and it was fun watching the kids look for clues and try to figure out who did it! It wasn’t the butler- it was our village leaders who were trying to take over the camp. 

Number 6: During Family Camp, Sue Ellen Spotts led our adult Bible studies. Sue Ellen is the Director for Evangelical Mission for the synod and a camp board member. It was the first time in my tenure that I attended all the adult Bible studies and really enjoyed them. We reflected on how we can embody Christ-like love at camp, at home, and in the wider world. 

Number 5: We continued to do off-site camps at local churches, and this program proves to be an important part of our ministry. For the first time, we offered a free community day camp at Faith Lutheran in Lewisburg. They have a great facility for day camp and I know that we reached kids there that otherwise would not have come to camp. 

Number 4: After several years, we offered trip camps this summer. During Week 6, campers and staff traveled to World’s End State Park for a few days of hiking and camping. I joined them on Tuesday, and it was one of my favorite days of the summer. Being able to be out in creation, seeing mountaintops, bonding with my fellow hikers, and worshipping in a stream was refreshing to my soul. 

Number 3: After the hikers returned to camp, I enjoyed an evening on the back porch of the A-Center with them, some staff, and our camp chaplain for the week. We ate ice cream, shared stories, laughed, and it was a reminder to me of the power of community at camp. 

Number 2 and 1: My absolute favorite thing this summer was growth in staff and campers. Our staff did a great job and elevated the program with costumes, enthusiasm, and creative activities. I saw leadership from them and from our campers this year in ways that I haven’t seen before. We have some real up-and-coming senior high campers who will be great staff in the future. I saw campers gain independence and resilience. And, we had several adults attend our new GROW and Lunch and I know they also grew in their faith. 

Constantly during the summer, I saw signs of affirmation that the work we do is so important. In a world full of a lot of noise, our foundational basics are still relevant and needed now more than ever. I’m grateful for all those who support our ministry at camp and look forward to next summer!