“I was a shy homebody when I was a kid,” Betty Kennedy began. “My mother and sister wanted me to go to girl scout camp. It was alright, but I had a difficult time making friends. Then my mother and sister were able to talk me into attending camp at Wanake.”
“I expected the same experience as the girl scout camp, but at Wanake things were different. I stayed in platform tents and cabins. I built community with the other campers. I made friends, and the counselors were an inspiration to me. However, it was my faith that changed in the most profound way.”
“At camp faith became real to me. Many of my transformative and powerful faith decisions happened at Wanake. Out in the woods I experienced God in a different way than sitting in a pew during church. On Vesper Hill sitting on those logs, I learned to be quiet and listen to God even the day a black snake slithered by my foot! I remember being served communion by Rev. Dr. Mel Moody in the barn loft with candles, feeling the faith and community of those around me.”
“After each summer I told others about camp and what I had experienced and learned. Finding God at Wanake changed the direction of my life. Now there is more to my faith than simply church attendance. Camp laid the groundwork for my calling to missions and outreach where I still get to live out my faith every day these decades later. I doubt that I would be involved with outreach like the diaper bank today without my experiences at Wanake.”
“I hope that future campers will find what I found at camp, Christ’s love and peace. I trust that they will experience the love of God in Jesus Christ, like I did, and desire to share it with others.”
Your gifts lay the groundwork for faith decisions by providing a place to connect with God; trained, adult leaders who live their faith and share it with campers; and time to hear God’s voice. Thank you for your generosity!
