Jeff enjoys biking, running, reading, and puzzles. “I enjoy a challenging bike ride,” Jeff shares, “and have biked most of Wanake’s outpost, especially the hills!”

“It was around 4th grade when I started coming to Wanake. Despite living in West Ohio, my parents decided to send me to Wanake, because Wanake was where they camped and met on staff. My first years were steeped in homesickness. It wasn’t until the third or fourth year of camp that I actually wanted to come back to Wanake. The older kids were always doing something cool that I couldn’t wait to do the next year. As I grew, I was excited about coming back to Wanake to try new things.”

“Learning about God and Jesus at camp was a surprise for me and different than at home. While I oftentimes found myself bored in church service or Sunday school,” Jeff mused, “I enjoyed learning about God at Wanake. My faith came alive at camp in deep discussions, singing, hiking, hands-on service opportunities, depending on the members of my group as we built our Home-in-the-Woods, tending fires, cooking outdoors, and encouraging one another as we traveled by bicycle. My counselors fostered acceptance and camaraderie in the group and wonder at God’s creation. It caught my attention. My years of camping at Wanake transformed the way I view my relationship with God and the church. I believe it was the setting at Wanake that encouraged my faith journey. I belonged at camp; I was accepted; And I had fun! It felt good to experience God’s creation with likeminded people. Camp felt like home back then, and it still feels like home today.”

“While I regularly attended church with my family growing up, I believe that because of my camp experiences, I accepted Jesus as my Savior at camp and am still living out my faith in my daily life. Every day I wake up and try to follow Jesus the best I can. Like the many campfires we built at camp from a “spark,” summer camp was the spark for my faith development in ways that didn’t happen at church or Sunday School,” Jeff enthusiastically remembers.

“That spark of faith fueled my passion for camp. It brought me back as a junior counselor where I found that I loved working with and helping kids. I became a counselor while I was in college instead of looking for internships during the summer. I loved connecting with the kids. I found that come August and September I would start counting down the months till summer camp. Once I realized my passion for working with kids, I changed my major from business administration to education. After college I taught school and volunteered at Wanake each summer.”

“Camping at Wanake continues to be my fondest memories from childhood through my college years. The people I met at Wanake are special. Despite having many years pass, I find myself talking with them as if no time has passed, picking up our friendship exactly where we had left off. I love seeing these friends again.”

“My hope is that Wanake continues to provide a place for deep connections with God, other campers, staff mentors, and God’s creation for campers and staff alike, who come to camp, create fond memories, and continue to keep coming back. And that Wanake will continue to be a place of welcome, honoring the past and changing to meet the needs of the world.” Jeff continues, “Wanake mattered in my life for faith, fun, acceptance, and friends, and it matters for campers today.”

Your generosity allows Wanake to continue to be a place where camp counselors can foster a environment that allows children, teens and young adults like Jeff to hear God’s voice and respond in faith. Thank you for your generosity.