Beyond S'mores and Songs: The Deeper Impact of LGYC on Our Family

My husband and I both grew up with a camp background, so we knew we wanted the experience for our three kids, but we took our time choosing where to send them. Friends invited them to try a week of summer camp at LGYC and not only did they enjoy it, but we were pleased with the caliber and depth of the teaching, the training of the staff, the quality of the food, and the development of the campus. The following year, our eldest had the opportunity to participate in the Teen Serve program, which we now cannot recommend highly enough. This is a unique experience which we found was a "win-win" for the kids and the camp, since the students are discipled and trained in leadership with a small group of like-minded peers, and the camp gets the help of these students in keeping the other programs running smoothly. All three of our children have since had the opportunity to experience Teen Serve, and we see it as an exceptional addition to the camp program, bridging the gap of years where they are willing and able to serve but not yet old enough to be on staff. We were pleasantly surprised at how our kids, while working with their groups, enjoyed even the hard work on various maintenance projects and in the kitchen...but of course it's always more fun to work with friends! They all received excellent one-on-one interaction with the staff and thrived in the environment of Christian leaders and friends, growing in their confidence an faith. 

LGYC has also provided opportunities for us to serve as a family, which we appreciate, since those kinds of opportunities can be tricky to come by. There were several service days we were able to attend, and several times we spent a weekend helping behind the scenes for Arctic Blast or Fall Blast, so the kids got to have the satisfaction of pouring back into the place that has poured into them. I was happy to be able to lend a hand during the past few summers in the snack shop, handcraft, and with some areas that needed sprucing up around camp. There is so much work that goes into keeping a place like LGYC running smoothly, and I'm constantly impressed with and thankful for the people who work year-round with such a heart for making the experience of the campers one that will be meaningful. I'm happy if our short-term volunteering at camp can encourage and energize the full-time staff and lighten their load a bit. As I become more acquainted with the history of LGYC, I appreciate the traditions that have emerged over the years and the camaraderie of the families and individuals who continue to remember their camp experiences with fondness. It's a place that has given us a chance to put our God-given abilities to use, to develop leadership skills, to make good friends, and to see first-hand what the Lord is doing through the various arms of this ministry.

Now our oldest is headed off to college but is first spending her summer on staff at LGYC doing what gives her so much joy. Camp has been a consistent source of encouragement and growth for her, which we as parents love to see. We are grateful for the people who continue to strive to discern how best to steward the space and develop the programming in a way that glorifies Christ and blesses the people who experience it each year. We pray that God continues to bless and sustain the ministry!