Got summer plans?
Kayleigh Harrill, Contributing Writer
Imagine one hundred college students dedicating their summer to pour into students of all ages for the sake of reaching them for the gospel. During a global pandemic, this may not seem feasible, yet fifteen North Greenville University students have committed their summer to go and serve at Woodlands Camp in Cleveland, Ga. for 13 weeks.
Woodlands Camp & Retreat Center is a non-profit Christian youth camp and retreat center located in the North Ga. mountains. It is a 131-acre picture of rolling hills, forests and a lake.
According to their website, it was started by John Estes on January 4, 1997. Woodlands exists to inspire and equip today’s generation to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8).
This mission statement is reflected in the mentality of those who are on staff as well. Junior Kaitlinn Harrison, staff member last summer, said what Woodlands meant to her:
God shattered my expectations of what my summer plans would look like and taught me to depend on him through camp. If I had not gone, I would not have been able to serve alongside a community that loves and values others while sharing the common desire that all the kids going to Woodlands camp would know who Jesus is.
The camp operates summer camps for students of all ages, along with weekend or week-long retreats throughout the entire year. They offer traditional camp programs for students of every age, and they also offer Xtreme camp programs with extreme outdoor activities for students of every age.
One element that Woodlands offers that is different than most camps is their Freestyle Day Camp. It is for elementary school kids, and it is on-site at local churches.
Last summer, Woodlands was not able to have Freestyle Camp, but this summer they are starting it back and will be working with churches in N.C., S.C., Ga. and Fla. Two North Greenville University students will be traveling with the Freestyle team this summer.
Many student camps across the nation such as Winshape Camps, Camp Longridge, Summersalt, FUGE Camps and Student Life Camp were all completely canceled in summer 2020. In contrast to this, Woodlands was able to carry out traditional camp this past summer with COVID-19 protocols enacted.
Looking ahead, the camp may have no idea what this coming summer will look like, but members of staff are already preparing their hearts to serve. Though this camp may be a small piece of such a large mission across the board of our nation, its impact is directly influencing the hearts of so many on the campus of North Greenville University.
Almost 15 students have committed their summer 2021 to work there. This list includes Huff Campbell, Joseph Castillo, Kaitlinn Harrison, Chely Dickert, Timothy Spitzer, Jonathan McNeely, Creed Taylor, Graham Ford, Rachel Lanter, Chelsea Benson, Tyler Hudson and Dru Reily.
(From left to right) Joseph Castillo, Caroline Helms, Timothy Spitzer, Tyler Hudson and Kaitlinn Harrison, all members of staff last summer, line up for a photo at camp. Photo courtesy of Joseph Castillo.
Joseph Castillo, a senior at North Greenville University, worked at Woodlands this past summer as a traditional counselor. As a counselor, he worked with campers ranging from elementary to high school age.
He said, “Something I loved about being a counselor was that students took an hour and a half out of the day to memorize scripture. I think that’s really important because memorizing and understanding scripture helps us fight against temptation and overcome obstacles.”
Castillo is thankful that staff last year was able to follow the guidelines of the governor in Georgia that were in place for camps to be able to function.
He says, “We were in the unknown and we didn’t know if camp was going to happen. We were praying that the Lord’s will would be done and that we would be obedient whether camp happens or not.” According to summer staff from last year, 230 campers were saved as a result of camp happening last summer.
Students who decide to work at Woodlands are passionate about discipling campers. One great example of this is sophomore Dru Reily’s testimony.
He attended Woodlands as a kid, but didn’t take advantage of the opportunity because he went only to hang out with friends. Now, he wants to go back so that if there is a kid in the same shoes as he was when he was at camp, he can help them.
Also, among those from North Greenville University who are working there, many of the roles students were hired for aren’t traditional counselor positions. For example, sophomore Huff Campbell is working as an Xtreme counselor this upcoming summer. He said:
I would say I’m really looking forward to having intentional and devoted time to campers. Also, I’m looking forward to having time out in God’s creation with other people that have an alike mindset and a passion for learning and growing in their faith. This is a place I want to be.
These North Greenville University students exemplify the hearts of every student who has committed to serve. All of the members of staff for 2021 who attend North Greenville University meet every Monday in the Prayer Chapel on campus to pray over the upcoming summer.
Though our future in the middle of a global pandemic may look incredibly unclear, those who submitted their applications on Nov. 1 and have since been offered positions at Woodlands are already praying and preparing for camp to happen. The hired students from North Greenville University are looking ahead and trusting that God will allow them to be used at Woodlands in Summer 2021.
Tyler Hudson photo bombs Joseph Castillo and Caroline Helms as their photo is taken in the gym while playing sports with students. Photo courtesy of Joseph Castillo.
To contact Woodlands Camp & Retreat Center, here is a compiled list of their contact info:
Website: https://www.woodlandscamp.org
Address: 1242 Old Blue Creek Road Cleveland, GA 30528
Phone: 706-865-0853
Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Email: info@woodlandscamp.org
