Conferences

What a joy! As part of the program we get to work weekend conferences for the camp. This allows them to have extra help while also giving us opportunities to put into practice all that we are learning. Conferences are like a mini version of camp- condensed into a weekend. Some weekends are for parent-kid combinations (father-son, mother-daughter…). There are also kids’ conferences that are structured very similarly to summer camp. Children’s groups bring kids and their own leaders serve as counselors. We help in whatever way is needed. This last semester I cleaned, served food, lifeguarded, ran the ropes course, and helped with the skits. Sorry, but I have no pictures of the skits. ☺ Although the ministry that we get to be involved with is specific to camps, we are learning so much more than camp skills. We have the privilege of developing relationships with staff and guests while focused intently on loving them purposefully. Ministry doesn’t stop when things are busy, so during these conferences we are quite busy. We work hard, and are training ourselves to find opportunities to minister in the middle of it all. One day I probably won’t be in a ministry atmosphere but will still have ministry as my priority in the secular world. Understanding how to manage relationships and tasks all at the same time is a wonderful responsibility and privilege.
Each Forgie is assigned a camp to work at for each semester (there was actually a big draft where they picked us… but that’s a whole other story). It’s really fun b/c I was able to work at Towers where I have been on summer staff since 2003. The picture here is with some girls that I have been able to keep up with for years. They are returning campers for conferences and during the summer. I’ve been at this particular conference for the last 5 years and every time they have come. It’s been really fun to see how consistency from ministry can really impact a person’s life. That’s why I’m here- to see how beautiful it is and continue on with that kind of impact for the rest of my life.