End of Summer

Though the calendar says summer isn't "officially" over until the later end of September, it is a different story here at LACC. The last session of our summer camp season ends tomorrow afternoon. Nine weeks, 31 sessions, 1635 campers ranging from incoming 1st graders to graduated high school seniors, and 432 volunteers later the season is wrapping up.

Some were first timers and others were seasoned campers. Some of the parents registered online while others filled out the paper form, wrote the check, stuffed the envelope, and licked the stamp. There were campers who rode in with friends or with a busload of church buddies, while some of the "newbies" (especially the first time 1st-3rd graders) came equipped with an entourage: Mom and/or Dad, a sibling or two, a grandparent or aunt, and possibly a cousin--with enough cameras and camcorders to start their own Press Corp!

Meanwhile, the volunteers would arrive in much the same way. Some are seasoned veterans with decades of experience, some of whom would be here numerous times this summer. Others were campers themselves last summer and several who would be campers later in this summer. They all came equipped with a heart of service, a trusty Bible, a well traveled flashlight, a sense of compassion carefully honed by constant contact with life, ready ears, and a "high-five" or side hug of encouragement. They touched lives just as their lives had been touched. They were teachers, trainers, mentors, coaches, encouragers, comforters, leaders, and extended family. They were Jesus with skin on.

And behind the scenes were our "Omegas"--our collegiate summer staff. They facilitated in about every way possible: life guards, meal prep, canteen, T-shirt shop, registration check-in and check-out, power boat driver, meal clean-up, crafts, grounds, archery, nature center, music, liaison, and auxiliary office staff. No task was too small, or too messy to avoid their dedicated care.

While our summer camp season is over, "camp" isn't over. After a well deserved Monday off rental camps begin in earnest for the next several weeks. Along with the rental camps come the week-end retreats. Every week-end from now through the beginning of next camp season can be filled with retreats. With FL weather four seasons are easily doable--as long as we don't overtax our staff.

That sense of serving someone and something greater than ourselves is a strong motivator for our staff and volunteers. They are willing to set aside creature comforts, take a break from the daily routine, and give freely of themselves to others. Serving Christ by serving others. It makes all the difference.