The bible is full of places and people. From the Garden of Eden to the New Jerusalem; from Adam and Eve to the Root and the Offspring of David! People and places are so important in God’s kingdom. One of our most important places in EFC-MAYM is Camp Quaker Haven! And, as far as people, please keep reading….
One of our purposes in EFC-MAYM is “to utilize our collective resources to assist our local churches to meet the spiritual needs of the people in their communities.” We believe that summer camp is one of the best ways to do this as we come together as local churches in meeting the spiritual needs of our young people utilizing our campgrounds, and most importantly, our people in meeting and responding to the spiritual needs of our campers! What follows is a brief report from 2 of our “people” from this past summer at camp.
From Abby Macy, one of the Kid’s Camp directors this past summer:
“This year I had the opportunity to direct Kids Camp with Shawn Penrose! Throughout my years at CQH, I went from camper to program staff, to counselor and now my first year directing! I was so excited to work alongside and learn from Shawn, the genius behind planning kid’s camp.
Our theme for this year was “The Creator’s Place.” Camp was very unique as we wanted to give campers the freedom to dwell in God’s creation as well as practice their own creating skills. Each day, cabins were challenged to build what they would use in the following day’s game. For example, building multiple egg drop containers for the egg drop competition the following day.
One of my camp highlights was watching the campers get so excited as they were creating throughout the week. The big finale of camp was challenging each cabin to build a huge catapult to launch water balloons! It was so amazing to watch each cabin work together to complete the large task at hand.
Another camp highlight was being able to work with all of the counselors and hear how God was moving in each of their cabins. Directing camp definitely gives you a different perspective of how camp runs, and it is very obvious how vital the camp counselors are to the camp experience. “Camp is for the campers” but camp can’t be done without the selfless giving of the counselors. It was a huge blessing to me being surrounded by a community of friends and believers, all present to serve God and our campers.
Lastly, I loved watching the kids worship God with the worship team. We were able to invite the youth worship band from my church and they did an amazing job! I will never forget on the last night of camp when all of the campers were singing “Nothing Else” shamelessly to the Lord. It was so moving watching such young people praise God with such joy and passion.
Camp will always be a special place to me as the Kingdom of God is very real and present at CQH. I had a wonderful time directing and watching God move all throughout our time at camp!”
From Aubrey Chittwood, one of the directors for High School and Junior High Camp:
“There is nowhere else I’d rather spend two weeks in June than at Camp Quaker Haven with the students and leaders of EFC-MA. Upended camp this year was no exception to that! Camp is obviously so fun, so silly, and so wild. It’s the best place to experience worship in the form of playing together. But I think the most marvelous parts of camp are the parts where we are willing to show up, however we are, in the presence and make a divine appointment with the God who created all of it. This year, as we learned about the upside-down Kingdom of God, one highlight of camp for me, was watching as students gathered in the pavilion to write affirming notes, encouraging letters, and heartfelt thank yous to the counselors, camp staff, and fellow campers who had made a positive impact on their walks with Christ this summer. It was a blessing to see everyone take time out of their crazy camp schedules to serve each other in this small, but intentional way.
I was also given the gift of standing in front of the room and hearing the jubilant voices and seeing the reverent faces of students and staff alike as they sang their praises to our Good, Faithful, Playful, Kind, Saving, Upside-down God. There may be no greater gift in the world than experiencing the divine worship of young people who are fully present with the Spirit (especially at CQH).
I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention that directing camp with Michael is a life-giving experience. Shiny Mike, the most fun camp guy, is the right friend to have around when planning games, coordinating schedules, and articulating ideas. He has a heart for Jesus, a heart for students, and a heart for camp that few can replicate and I think that shows in the way students chant his name before a sick new verse of the Cinnamon Swirl drops just as much as it does when students whoop and holler their praises to God while Michael takes us through scripture during morning chapel.
I relish the laughter, the dancing, the shrieks of joy, the way we can so easily forget to care what people are thinking about us, the companionship, the competition, the quiet. I think the ultimate highlight of camp every year is that it gives me a glimpse at Shalom. Camp life is Kingdom life. And while the Kingdom doesn’t exist solely within the heart of Camp Quaker Haven, I think for a few weeks every June, we’re given insight to what our daily lives as citizens of Heaven can and will look like when we show up to God and say, ‘give us all you’ve got.'”
An invitation
If you have never counseled or participated at our summer camps at camp quaker haven, I would invite you to start praying now about the possibility of joining us next summer. See below for summer camp 2024 dates. Furthermore, Camp Quaker Haven is currently looking for a Camp Director as we begin making plans for next summer. If you have any interest or know of anyone who might be interested in the job of Camp Director for Camp Quaker Haven, please contact our office for details and a job description.
As I conclude, please join me in praising God for all that was done this summer in the lives of our campers. One thing I look forward to in Heaven is hearing all the stories of what God did in His Kingdom on earth. I am especially looking forward to hearing all the stories of what God did at the place we call Camp Quaker Haven through His people we know as EFC-MAYM! Now, save the date and start praying and planning to join us this coming summer for the following camps:
Kids Camp | June 1 – 5
High School Camp | June 6 – 10
Junior High Camp | June 11 – 15
Jesse Ray Billy Bob Bodine Penna
Student Ministries Director, EFC-MAYM
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