Growing up, I attended Bishop Claggett Episcopal Camp in Buckeystown, MD, every summer for fourteen (14) years. I started as a little kid, went through Junior High, became a CIT (Counselor in Training) in High School and later Counselor and in College, a Resource Staff person. Not until my Junior year summer did I finally "let go" of summer camp. Why?
My experience of Christian summer camp was that it presented an alternative living and relating experience grounded in Gospel values of nurturing and loving. This was intentional. For me, this was a profound experience of an earthly incarnation of the Kingdom of God. So seductive and embracing was it, that my "real world" back home seemed artificial and mean in comparison. So powerful was the dissonance between these worlds and the values in which they were based, that I was forced to struggle with questions about why it was so difficult to be a caring and loving person in my family, at my home church and at my school? Camp, clearly so, was what kept me in the Church during those "rebellious years."
For me, camp was a place of conversion and growing discipleship. Many others have found that experience to be true for them as well. I have asked two of our young people to share a reflection on their experiences at Camp Stevens in Julian. Here are their responses:
Question: What was the biggest surprise about Camp Stevens?
by Jasmine Miller, age 13
The biggest surprise about Camp Stevens, to me, was how nice everyone was and how all the counselors were there for you if you needed them. Like if you weren't feeling a part of the group, you could tell them that and they would try harder to get you to join in more and feel more a part of the group. Also, how the counselors didn't have favorite people, like some counselors at other camps.
by Kiyoshi Houston, age 15
The biggest surprise of Camp Stevens was how easy it was to communicate with staff and with fellow campers, and how effortless it was to make friends with all the new people I met, including the counselors.
Question: What disappointed you?
by Jasmine Miller
I think that having to leave Camp Stevens and all my new friends was a disappointment and having to leave such a nice environment was hard. Other than that, everything was great!!! Oh yeah, brings lots of really good bug repellent, there are lots of mosquitoes!!
by Kiyoshi Houston
Well, to be honest, there wasn't much to dislike about my experience there. For the last three years, I have participated in the camp with much joy and my only disappointment is that I did not start attending the camp earlier in my life - or that I do not get to stay there longer each time that I visit and do even more things.
Question: Where did you find the Spirit of God at Camp?
by Jasmine Miller
I found the Spirit of God everywhere. From the cabins to the dining hall, to just being in the pool. I could feel the Spirit of God and his love coming from everyone there. It was like God was in everyone and everything. Even if you're sitting by yourself, you can still feel loved and the Spirit of God everywhere! It's just so … so … so wonderful to be here.
by Kiyoshi Houston
I found the spirit of God inside the A-frame cabins. I was able to simply relax and talk with the boys before we joined the rest of the camping group. That "kicking back" time was a sort of meditation that made me feel centered and made me feel a great sense of belonging. The other times that I found the spirit of God was whenever I was involved in group activities where we learned to work with each other in cooperative and meaningful ways.
Copyright © 2002 St. Augustine by-the-Sea
