Lainey Kitchenmaster, a lifelong camper at Wesley Woods who is now a volunteer, explains how United Methodist camping has impacted her life and faith.
LAINEY KITCHENMASTER
Volunteer, Wesley Woods Camp & Retreat
Going to camp at Wesley Woods has always been a big part of my life. I’ve gone from first grade until now, my senior year of high school. I grew up attending Williamston Crossroads UMC, and the leaders there didn’t have to push us to come to camp because we all loved it! We did fundraisers like bake sales, noisy offerings, and lemonade stands to help send us all to camp.
Camp was ultimately the place that started my journey in Christ. I always went to church, but camp introduced me to who God really is. It sparked the light in me and eventually led me to get baptized. I learned from the amazing role models there who God is.
They taught me not just Bible stories, but also how to treat others with respect. Camp made me realize not everyone is the same as me or my family. It introduced me to all kinds of people and personalities, and I learned a lot from it! I remember coming back to school after camp and telling my whole class about God.
I have a specific memory from middle school camp I’d like to share. My counselor was real. She wasn’t perfect in her journey with Christ, and it showed me it’s okay to mess up. One of my biggest takeaways was the people I met. We continually text and hang out outside of camp. A few of these girls I met in elementary camp, and others I didn’t meet until high school. It shows that even though we only had a week together, I gained true, authentic friendships from camp.
This past summer, I volunteered as a counselor for Elementary Camp 1 for first through third graders. After being on the staff side, you really see the impact that camp has. I had 10 little girls relying on me and my co-counselor for the week, and it was one of the best weeks ever. It was a long week, but seeing the kids learn about God and how to be a good friend to each other was all worth it in the end. My favorite moment was when they kicked us out of the cabin, only to surprise us with “best counselor awards” made with colored paper and scribbles.
When I need peace in my life, my heart yearns for camp. I text the people I met through camp, or I talk to God. I am so thankful for the people I met at Wesley Woods and the relationships that have blossomed through these camping experiences.
It’s not too early to be thinking about next summer. Getting kids to camp starts a fire in their faith and creates a positive, fun feeling about Jesus! It is something that they’ll always remember, and it creates lifelong friendships. Camp can feel intimidating for both the camper and their parents, but it’s worth it! The staff does an amazing job of keeping the place clean, serving good food, and always prioritizing the health of the campers. I remember years when I wasn’t feeling well, and the nurse and staff did an excellent job taking care of me. The first step is always scary, so I took it in bits and pieces. I started as a mini, going with my sister for the full week, then worked my way up!
Thank you for the opportunity to share a little bit of my story and how camp has impacted my life and faith.