Mega Camp 2023 – What’s in a Name?

by Randy Harrison

Another amazing Camp week has come and gone, and Mega Camp 2023 is in the books. Camp is something I look forward to each summer. It means we get to spend a week living in God’s creation, spreading the Love of God and Christ, and deepening our faith together in Christian Community.

Dillon Green joined us from Alabama as Program Director for Sr High this year. He presented an amazing program based on the theme selected by the Youth Commission. Dillon provided so many ways for each one of us to connect with the message and the meaning of “What’s in a Name” so everyone could find a connection in their own way. After all, isn’t that what God wants for us; to find our connections?

One connection for me personally has been serving as a counselor at Camp. I’ve had the privilege of serving as a member of the Diocesan Camp Staff on and off for over 20 years and I never grow old of the joy and wonder that springs forth each year. It’s a time to renew old friendships and create new ones. To live into our lives as God’s Holy people and spread the Good News. I have served on Camp Staff long enough that I’m now meeting campers who are the sons and daughters of youth who came to camp as youth themselves. This tells me that the work we do at Camp resonates in the hearts of the young people we serve, and they instill that love in their own children.

Camp is a very special place for so many people and provides a lifetime of friendships and memories, but we can’t do this alone. We need everyone’s help in keeping Camp viable and attainable for current and future youth. Whether that be through volunteering or simply by providing financial support so that every youth who wants to attend Camp can do so. If you would like to be a part of the mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas Youth programs, visit the EDOK website where you can find out more about what is happening for the youth.

If volunteering is something that you can’t do, you can provide support through by making a donation to Episcopal Summer Camp Scholarships. The Rev. Karen Schlabach, Youth, Campus, and Digital Missioner for the Diocese works tirelessly to bring together adults and youth who are willing to give of their time to serve as Camp Counselors, Nurses, etc., and what an amazing team of volunteers we have each year. I can honestly say that God has truly blessed me in more ways than I could have ever imagined.