Each summer during Episcopal Summer Mega Camp at Camp Wood, the graduating seniors share a reflection on their camp experience during the “Senior Service,” which is the closing Eucharist on the last night of camp. Students recount favorite camp memories and share how camp has impacted their life and faith whether they’ve been to camp a few times or have been every summer since third grade. Kael Nelson from St. John’s, Abilene had this to say:
“Every summer, I came to camp thinking I was just signing up for a week of fun. But now, standing here, I realize it’s been something so much deeper. Camp became a mirror, a map, and a meeting place—where I saw who I really was, where I started to find direction, and where I met God in ways I never expected.
Friendship here isn’t surface-level. It’s built on shared prayers, real talks, moments of silence that say more than words, and the courage to show up as we are. Being truly seen by friends—and still loved—was one of the first ways I understood God’s love. There’s something sacred about finding people who don’t just walk beside you, but who challenge you to grow, to believe, and to become.
Camp taught me that real faith isn’t always easy. It’s a risk. It’s choosing to trust, even when things don’t make sense. It’s opening up when you’d rather shut down. It’s stepping into who God is calling you to be, even when that path feels unfamiliar.
And in that journey, I heard something stir inside me: Now is your time to rise, that is why you are here. Not when you feel “ready.” Not when you’ve got it all figured out. Now. Because this moment—this breath—is a gift. And the purpose God has for us doesn’t wait for perfection.
You are on this earth for a reason—that is to be you. Not someone else’s imitation of you. That truth is scary sometimes, because being yourself means taking risks. The risk of being misunderstood. The risk of failing. But it’s the only way to live a life that’s real. So take that risk. because Life is short, even on our longest of days.
Don’t lose your individuality. There is no one in the universe who is like us, so embrace individuality. We weren’t made to blend in. We were made to reflect God’s creativity and uniqueness. And when you walk boldly in who you are, it gives others permission to do the same.
As I leave this place, I know I’ll miss it. But I also know it’s not the end. The friendships, the faith, and the lessons will grow with me for the rest of my life. Because camp didn’t just change how I spend my summers—it changed how I see the world and the people in it.”
by Kael Nelson
835 SW Polk St.