As most of you realize, I love Camp Christian. Sometimes you wonder what the secret is that keeps me going back. I know that lifelong friendships are made at camp and I know that camp actually changes lives and builds so much spiritual growth in our youth and adults. The experiences I have had draw me back to Camp Christian as often as possible---it seems almost like an addiction. I love to get there early when no one else is around and spend quiet time alone with God. I have special memories from over 30 years ago when I was a Chi Rho camper as well as very special memories of my years there as a counselor. I would like to share a little of what I see at camp and a very special experience from a few summers ago at Phyo Conference.

Many of the youth who attend camp are afraid to go to school. Their classmates carry switchblades, guns, Xacto knives. Some have awful home lives, some think that joining a gang is a good thing--because they think they will be safe with gang members to protect them. Their Camp Christian experience for this one week out of their lives is where they truly feel safe. Boys and girls alike cry when it's time to go home---back to the real world.

I have heard some of the most beautiful prayers given by Chi Rho and CYF youth at camp-- much better prayers than I can give. They develop a close relationship with God while at camp. I see a young person who is maybe slower than everyone else, and maybe difficult to be around, a person that I know is made fun of and picked on at school. But at Camp Christian there is always another youth who makes that extra effort to help that camper. There is always someone who says 'It's ok, I'll be your partner', 'Let me help you' or 'I'll sing with you in the talent show'.

Sometimes campers share things and you are not certain you know how to respond to them. One morning early in the week, during our study of Luke, I had 2 campers share with me that neither one of them was sure that there is a God. "How do I know there is a God? "I pray all the time and bad things still happen." "Just how do you know there's a God?" I know I can't teach anyone to believe in God, I can only affirm my faith and tell them someday they will know for sure.

Later that week on the 4th of July---talent show night---a lot of outstanding talent was shared by the youth. Some sang songs that brought tears to the eyes of campers and counselors. Some did special dances. Campers performed skits and played musical instruments.

After the talent show we were all standing on the deck of the gym overlooking the lake as we watched for the fireworks. Since Phyo Conference is always at camp over the 4th of July, the campers are permitted bring fireworks as long as they are turned into the office on Sunday. On the 4th the campers who brought the fireworks and the Assistant Directors and Staff set off the fireworks for all to share. This particular year, I would have to say that it would be imaginative to call them fireworks. They were all pretty much duds. But every camper stood cheering, yelling and applauding as each one went about 5 feet into the air and fell into the lake. I believe the loudest cheers came when a plane flew over. Campers were talking, singing, reminiscing and just thinking. As I stood on the deck watching this camaraderie, one of the campers who had told previously that she didn't believe in God, came up to me with tears streaming down her face. She wanted to talk to me. Of course, my reaction was: "Ok God, what is she going to share with me now---this one's on you---give me the right words." We went to a quiet corner in the gym and she said---"I know there is a God, and He's here tonight." What a wonderful experience for the questioning youth to have!!!! And you can't imagine what an incredible experience this was for me that she shared this.

These experiences reinforce to me the importance of our camping program at Camp Christian for our youth and adults. I believe that if you can't find God anyplace else, He is at Camp Christian and you will find Him there.

Tina DeJane writes this first article. She is our church youth leader, youth choir director and a Camp Christian counselor.