Antioch Servant Learns Camp Traditions, Canadian-Style
Stepping off the plane in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, in early July 2009, I was mentally preparing myself for the packed summer that lay ahead. In April I had filled out an application to be an “Antioch Servant” for the summer camping program of the Moravian Church in Canada at Camp VanEs. (As an interesting side note, VanEs is an acronym for the first letters of the Latin, “Vicit Agnus Noster, Eum Sequamur,” translated of course as “Our Lamb has Conquered, Let Us Follow Him”).
The one page description of what the position entailed told me I would be on staff for all of the Moravian church camps, and then on the weekends I would be given an opportunity to speak at local Moravian congregations about youth in missions. But, as with any experience in which you are stepping out to be in service to Christ, it could hardly be fully described on paper in advance. So, as I came through baggage claim and customs I had no idea of the amazing experiences and friendships that would fill the next five weeks. I didn’t know that each week of camp would give me an opportunity to work with a talented and welcoming staff, comprised mainly of young adults who related so well to the campers and provided strong examples of what it means to truly be Christians. I didn’t know that each camp would be directed by individuals who were so great at empowering the staff to take on leadership and shape the experiences of the campers.
Coming from the Western District, I had in my head what was necessary to truly make it “a week at church camp.” It was a joy, however, to be able to share in the traditions that made a week at Camp VanEs unique. From a “Wacky Wednesday” meal in which campers had to attempt to eat soup with random kitchen utensils that rarely resembled spoons, to a game of “Predator and Prey” in which I found myself hiding in the woods dressed as a goat, to eagerly awaiting the report on the cleanliness of our cabin from the famous “Dr. Dirt,” I was continually shown new ways in which to share many fun times with both campers and staff.
Now, just as both fellow Antioch servant Melissa Foster of North Carolina and I learned so much about the way camp was done in Canada, we tried our best to share as much as we could from some of our favorite camp traditions at Mt. Morris in Wisconsin and Laurel Ridge in North Carolina. I am happy to report that Canadian campers have now all had the chance to sing songs about Turkeys, Little Red Wagons, and Putting the Devil in a Little Red Box. They have also now viewed skits about inept submarine sailors, a man in search of duck food, and a candy store that only sells “suckers on a stick.” (Some of the finer American camp traditions if I do say so myself!)
As much as there were new traditions to share this summer, there were many common things these camp experiences shared with those experienced across the denomination each summer at Moravian Church camps. Each camp was filled with enthusiastic campers who were eager to meet new friends and take part in fun activities as they grew in their faith. Each staff was made up of a variety of talented individuals who could lead both loud singing and quiet reflection. Each day was greeted with a thankful heart to our Lord for allowing us to get to know Him better in such a fun way.
May God bless all of those eager and enthusiastic individuals who are involved in making our camping ministry possible as part of the Moravian Church each summer, and may all our camps be as opening and welcoming to all who wish to take part as Camp VanEs was to me this past summer.
