Feb 27, 2020
By Amanda Barbee
Reflections from a Camp Board Member
As once again the program committee is working hard to find directors, staff, and cooks, I sometimes wonder, in the craziness, why we do this. Then I take a deep breath and reflect and count our blessings.
I have had the opportunity to read over the beginning minutes of the camp. They had a vision of providing a place where people could come, learn about and be surrounded by His amazing creation. I have read of the pros and cons they debated about having a permanent location for camp and all the maintenance that would mean. But when they finally had a permanent location, those early leaders poured their heart and soul into making it happen. This is not to say that it was not rustic to start with to say the least. Tales are told of boys sleeping in tents and girls sleeping in the basement of the Berea (WV) church. Stories of wonky plumbing and a Ritchey’s dairy truck turned into a walk-in refrigerator. People speaking of surviving the sulfur water, that same water making their hair feel great, and that water which sat in the fridge to get the smell out. (For anyone who hasn’t been here lately, we have an awesome water filtration system and we no longer have our unique tasting water—but your hair is still nice and soft.)
So why do we continue to upgrade and improve a small camp in the middle of wild and wonderful West Virginia? I am going to take a moment to name a few.
1. Camp and camping provide a unique opportunity in today’s world to help youth gain independence. This is for many kids the first time away from parents. We know that times are different today so we have been offering a pre-camp every other year for future campers—they can come with their parents and try it out for a weekend.
2. Camp provides a place for youth to come who may not come to a traditional church event. They come to be with their friends. They come to have something to do in the summer other than be at home.
3. Camp provides an opportunity for youth to hear the Gospel presented in a different setting and in different ways and from different people. It is here for some kids, myself included, that they make a personal commitment to Christ. Some people feel a call to ministry here.
4. Camp provides opportunity for youth to try things that they wouldn’t do at home. This includes presenting things in worship, leading different activities, trying their hand at presenting a message/sermon, canoeing, doing cannon balls off the diving board, and even washing dishes.
5. Camping can provide opportunities for youth and young adults to try their hand at service and find their strengths and weaknesses.
6. Camping creates friendships that can last a lifetime. I began writing to a camper after her second grade year of camp. Our friendship continues to this day. I am better for it.
7. Camping can reach the community. Over the last few years our camp has been used for weddings, family reunions, high school cross country retreats, women’s retreats, 4-wheeler groups, and people who just want to stay a weekend. Some of these groups are SDBs but many are not.
These are just a few reasons that camping is a valuable thing. As a member of the board, I am blessed that we are able to provide these opportunities for our youth. As a board member, I send out this call: We talk about investing in our youth and this is a very tangible way to do it. So when the announcements are made, consider answering the call. Like our youth, you may discover that you have gifts and skills you didn’t know you had. You can learn to do cannon balls, too.
Quotes about camp JOY
Girl age 8: It was fun and I got to hang out with new people.
Boy age 18: Such a beautiful place to praise and serve our Lord.
Girl age 13: It is the week I look forward to all year.
Boy age 16: What I liked best about camp was the way that the classes were presented and all of the recreational games.
Girl age 12: Camp Joy is the best experience ever. I think if people haven’t been here they really need to come.
Girl age 12: You should come with friends so maybe they will become a eliever in Jesus just like you are.
Junior Camp – June 22 – 26
Senior Camp – June 28 – July 5
Middler Camp – July 5
Women’s Retreat – Last full weekend in September
For more information about registration at Camp Joy go to the website: campjoywv.org
Amanda Barbee lives in New Enterprise, PA and attends the German (Brick) SDB Church. She is married to Perry and has 3 children. She is part of the Camp JOY Board and the SDB Missionary Society.
