This was my blog post on August 29, 2018...(photos removed for purpose of today's post.)
Summer in the Mountains
I spent this past summer serving as Camp Chaplain at YMCA Camp Harrison, operated by YMCA of Greater Charlotte. Camp Director Dave Purcell and Associate Executive Director Miranda Wyatt charged me with focusing on the Christian emphasis of the summer camp program. Campers ranged in age from six to sixteen and the bulk of the staff was between the ages of 17-27.
I want to share some of the activity and tremendous experience of working at camp.
First of all, I was blessed to work with such great people on the summer staff. While Dave and I have known each other for many years, and Miranda and I have worked together during my time with the YMCA Christian Leadership Conferences over the years, I was introduced to a whole new group of YMCA Staff. There were the year-round staff of Camp Harrison as well as the summer seasonal staff (like myself) who arrived in late May. Some staff worked for the first time and others have spent their summers at Camp Harrison. It was a lot of fun to work with the young adults and have the opportunity to get to really know many of them!
Dave and Miranda knew when they hired me that the Lord would give me many opportunities to serve Him by being His hands and feet. I had the responsibility to deliver the Vespers program four nights each week plus a chapel service on Sundays. The worship songs were coordinated and led by Hutch. He did a great job of involving some other staff with the music and many staff were able to share their gift of music with us. I'll be honest, it took me a lot of time to prepare about 55 messages for the summer. It was more than that as I served as a resource for the cabin counselors as they were responsible for a group of campers. Because this camp has a strong Christian focus, each week during the Closing Campfire everyone present was given the opportunity to come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior. A lot of lives were changed during the course of the summer.
I've been involved in a YMCA program for 35+ years called the YMCA Ragger's Society. During camp, I had the responsibility to direct the program for campers and staff. One of those very dedicated Raggers was a leadership staff team member named Liz. She did some great work with campers and young staff as they accepted challenges in their personal walk with Christ. If you are familiar with the Ragger's Program, you'll be happy to know that our team tied over 260 Rags this summer. About 120 of those were first time participants. "Look up and laugh and love and lift."
My family and I once lived in the mountains of Western North Carolina. We are familiar with Asheville, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah National Forest, and places like Cherokee, Bryson City, and Brevard! So, as I discovered that camp was located in the NC mountains I looked forward to the beauty of God's creation. And the Brushy Mountains, Lenior, Wilkesboro, and even Boone certainly didn't disappoint. Just walking around camp I thoroughly enjoyed the fresh air, the morning fog, the sunsets and the views of the private Lake Broyhill. Yes, there were flies, bugs, and even a few snakes, but that didn't discourage all of the fun and exciting activities of camp!
My experience at camp did reveal something I can say with great confidence. If you ever consider sending your child to a resident camp, and you'd like for them to be in a strong Christian environment, I highly recommend you find out more about Camp Harrison. You can explore their website at http://bit.ly/2wkT33C.
If you'd like to talk about this camp, feel free to email me! (chaplaingraystallworth@gmail.com).
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On March 13, 2019, look for another Way Back Wednesday with a post about an exceptional leader and graduate of the Citadel!
Remember "His faithful love endures forever."
Until next time...
Chaplain Gray
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