Physical exhaustion. Sweat. Blood. Emotional drainage. Missing their family. These are just the few things the Camp Buckner summer staff had experienced for 14 hard, hot summer weeks.
 
But they were strong. Their hearts were full and giving. It showed so well over the summer serving our guests. They truly demonstrated the three core values that we stand for: Christ-like, Servant-Spirit and Passion-Driven.
 
They may miss their family, but they gained new family among the camp staff. They may be physically and emotionally drained, but they all were motivated to see campers lives changed. They may have received cuts, scrapes and bruises but they got to joyfully show and share their stories. They were so full of love and grace.
 
Thank you so much to those who adopted our summer staff. Let it be through care packages, prayers or an encouraging note, it played a vital role knowing someone out there was praying for them. I wish you could see them smile every time mail came in for them. Some of them had the opportunity to write you back.
 
And thank you foster families who shared their stories about their experience at Camp Buckner this summer. We were able to share it with our summer staff and for that. It truly lifted them up.
 
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” -Romans 15:13

Written by Bill Joe Averitt, summer programs and activities supervisor at Camp Buckner.