Last week we had the chance to be a host home for SpringHill Camps. We housed four boys throughout the week and hosted the entire staff on Tuesday night for their time of worship. Being on the "other side" of camp was good and provided a time for Austin and I to reflect on a season in our lives that was like no other. We haven't taken time to do that before because both of us felt really disappointed in how our last summer ended. Camp can lose some of it's magic when you're on the administrative side of things. So here are my top 10 favorite life lessons learned from my summers at SpringHill Camps.
1. You will form incredible friendships (I even got a spouse out of the deal although for the record, we are in no way a "camp couple." We started dating months and months after). Last week Thursday night, one of the boys living with us stood in our kitchen with tears running down his face after coming home from their Thursday night gathering. When I asked him what was wrong, he said, "I'm not sure how I'm supposed to say goodbye to these people. They are like my family." And they are. When you serve with like-minded people on a like-minded mission, with Jesus at the center, you form deep, lasting friendships really quickly. Some of our camp friends have become our best real life friends. People who have helped us through really difficult times as well as celebrated with us during times of joy long after camp ended. 2. You understand why Jesus valued children so much. Their honesty, genuine excitement, and abandon is so real. They want to know God, really know him, his character. Watching kids come to faith and/or strengthen their faith throughout the summer was such a privilege and helped shaped my faith during impressionable years of my life. 3. You will learn to deal with conflict. Real talk, anytime you work with parents of children you will learn how to deal with conflict because parents care about their kids, and want the best for them. Real talk part 2. anytime you work with 30+ high schoolers and college students you will learn to deal with conflict because all the hormones and limit testing. I am a stronger wife/mom, employee/coworker, and leader because of my summers at SpringHill. 4. Your strengths will be sharpened and your limitations will be highlighted. Did you before SpringHill I had never heard of social work? Seriously. I was studying psychology with a minor in Spanish before SpringHill. I'm so glad someone introduced me to the world of social worker-now, a career that I love and that's so obvious for me to be in. I'm so thankful SpringHill sharpened my skills of leadership, advocacy, communication, and empathy. I also learned through SpringHill I need sleep, I struggle giving up control (I secretly knew that one already), and have trouble seeing projects to completion. 5. You will value the support received by your parents/family and friends while you are gone. Being able to work at camp was a privilege (not in the sentiment sense). When I was working at camp as a counselor I think I made $120/week for one million hours/week. Not once did my parents tell me to pursue different summer employment. They supported me and often walked alongside me in ministry serving as a host home or large group gatherings. Also, being gone for a summer, you miss out on some things with your friends. I'm so thankful my friend group kept my in the loop and allowed me to open myself to other opportunities. as well as new friends. 6. You will learn innovation. Any downtime at camp is spent singing silly songs and playing games to capture attention. Our own kids know camp songs and we often sing them when we our on hikes. PSA to anyone in the UP next week, you may hear us. Also, we have definitely utilized the games at the shack, during car rides, while waiting at restaurants, etc. 7. You will know how to make a mean tie-dye. 8. You will learn how to pack so stinking efficiently. Austin and I were responsible for packing the huge trailer every week to move to our next church host. This skill has served as well and we always love a good packing challenge. 9. You will be loved by complete strangers who open their homes to you. Until becoming a host home, I had no clue how much went into housing camp staff. The grocery bill last week was $$$, our kids were adjusting to new faces, and we realized how loud our doors really open and close. I've had more host homes than I can count. Strangers who fed me, did laundry for me, and took the time to hear my story and love me far beyond camp. My first ever host home was my favorite, and although I don't see them often now, I know the next time I see them will be just like it was the last time. They had lost a nephew/cousin and our stories of grief weaved together at exactly the right time. 10. You will experience incredible spiritual growth. I remember walking away from camp my first summer very unsure of how I was going to fit back into the "real world." I felt like I grew spiritually more in one summer than I had in the past 10 years of my life. I still feel those 3 summers housed more spiritual growth than I have experienced since ending camp. SpringHill Lovin', there's nothing quite like it and we loved being back in the game for a little bit last week.
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Hi! I'm Haley. Archives
May 2019
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