A former camper’s story

Reflections by a Former Camper
Growing up I was a traditional city kid with little to no experience in the outdoors. At Crane Lake Discovery Camp I caught my first fish, carved wooden canoes and experienced the greatness of God through nature for the first time. More than that, the chiefs and leadership team at camp taught me how to trust men for the first time in my life. My mother sent to me Crane Lake Discovery Camp a few years after my parents divorced. I was living with my mom and didn’t see my dad very often. My relationship with him had been very strained. My 12-year-old self believed that my dad left me and wasn’t interested in my life anymore. I often feared rejection and feared that other men in my life would also leave me.

I created many healthy relationship bonds at Crane Lake Discovery Camp with the peers in my group, the chiefs and other staff. When I think back on my month stay at Crane Lake Discovery Camp, I am often reminded of how much the staff cared about us campers. The chiefs spent each night and day with us, helping us do our chores and organizing fun things for us to do. The time we spent together as a group really bonded us and showed me I could trust others. Now, I’m married and expecting our first baby. More importantly though, I’m walking with Jesus- someone I didn’t know very much about before attending Crane Lake Discovery Camp. At camp, I saw elements of Jesus in the staff and they are what drew me to follow after Jesus. I also learned how to trust others and develop healthy relationships, an important lesson we all have to learn! I know God used Crane Lake Discovery Camp as a pillar in my relationship with him. Crane Lake Discovery Camp is a great place for anyone to go, but it’s especially important for young men who need discipling from other God-following men.

I would highly recommend that all young men attend Crane Lake Discovery Camp at least once! There’s so much to learn about yourself, others and God. Through the group work and team building experiences, God will teach you things you never knew you needed to learn. It might be challenging at times, but it’s an unforgettable experience that has benefited me so much. Overall, I am very thankful for the opportunity I received by going to camp. I want to thank my group mates, my chiefs, the leadership and staff at Crane Lake Discovery Camp, but also the donors who made my camp experience happen. Lives are changed because of you!