From the Kitchen at Cave
This was my second summer working at Cave Springs Camp. It was a completely different year from the last (as typically happens at summer camps). We had overnight programming and canoeing alongside the day camp programming that we had last year. All staff were either new to the camp or in new positions. We knew going in that it was going to be a WILD summer.
In my position as head cook I spent a lot of time in the kitchen and sparingly outside with the rest of camp and the kiddos. In the kitchen (and out!) you could see the Spirit of God and all that is camp THRIVING. In the kitchen we had a variety of challenges throughout the summer regarding just the day to day running of the kitchen but also with various personal challenges. A huge thing for me this summer was that no staff went through their challenges alone. At the beginning of the summer there was some nervousness and guardedness about opening up to each other and being vulnerable about how we were struggling but as the summer went on we became a beautiful little community within a larger community that was full of understanding, compassion, and support. In particular, there was one individual in the kitchen who struggled with self-confidence and was uncomfortable with the leadership aspect of the kitchen. Through gentle guidance, there was one point where they said to an inexperienced staff “I can show you how to do that!”. I think that was the biggest moment in the summer that showed me how camp can change you and build you up so much.
Cave Springs is a different camp I believe from the other camps purely because of the amount of diversity in the staff and campers. Everyone came from such different backgrounds where maybe they had never been to church before or had been hurt by the church. Some were very experienced in their faith and never forced their views on other people but guided them to see the love, support, and joy that comes from a community like this, where the true vision of God was alive. I believe that God never called us to bring anyone down for where they were coming from and to meet them where they’re at. Even in people who had not experienced or known anything about a God that I love and know is so incredibly good to us, they showed this pure and excited vision of how they could contribute to a community that I believe showed up God in every moment. Through being with people in their lows, cheering people on in their challenges, and laughing in the hilarious moment that happen at camp, the love and peace of God was seen by staff and campers alike. I saw campers who didn’t know anyone’s background learning how to love themselves and their neighbour and doing it SO well. They would cheer each other on at high ropes where campers pushed themselves and learned how to face their fears in a safe environment. When a camper was homesick there was such empathy from other campers coming from a similar spot and who knew the best ways to push through and acknowledge these feelings, in ways even counsellors and staff didn’t know how to. When a camper was frustrated, they were surrounded by other campers sitting with them through this moment and encouraging them to try try again.
Overall, there is absolutely no other place like camp that you can feel the love of God more concentrated in one place. Through staff and campers alike, the amount of personal growth and joy that comes from any of the camps really changes lives.
Lots of love and wishing peace to each of you,
Ella Bolton
