The Power of Summer Camp

April 16, 2026

From Pastor Eileen States

My first experience with summer camp came at the tender age of eight—and I could hardly contain my excitement. I arrived on a Sunday afternoon, met my counselor and cabinmates, and eagerly chose my bunk for the week ahead.

The next morning, after breakfast and worship, our cabin headed out for our first activity: horseback riding. I felt right at home—I had grown up with my own pony and knew how to saddle a horse. But before we even left the corral, a bee stung my horse. In an instant, I was bucked off, landing hard on my left arm. Yes—it was broken.

I cried… not because of the pain, but because I had to leave camp. My week had ended before it had really begun, and I was heartbroken.

What I didn’t know then was that the story wasn’t over.

The very next summer, my mom was hired as the assistant head cook, and I got to live at camp all summer long. Not just one summer—but three. Camp became my home away from home, a place filled with adventure, laughter, and something even more meaningful.

Looking back, I can clearly see why camp had such a lasting impact on my life.

Camp was a place away from the noise and busyness of everyday life. It was there that I watched young adult leaders—college students—live out their faith in a way that made it real and relatable. They showed me that having a relationship with God wasn’t just something you talked about—it was something you lived. It was something joyful. Something worth choosing.

During those summers, I made one of the most important decisions of my life: I chose to publicly declare my faith in Jesus through baptism.

So why share this story?

Because there is a reason God invites us into quiet places.

Even Jesus stepped away from the crowds and the noise to be alone with His Father. It is in those still, quiet spaces that hearts soften and faith takes root.

If you’re reading this and have children between the ages of 7 and 18, I encourage you to prayerfully consider your summer plans. Places like Cohutta Springs Youth Camp offer far more than just a week away—they create an environment where young people can encounter God in a deeply personal, life-changing way.

In a world filled with constant noise—sports, screens, schedules—it’s becoming harder, even for children, to slow down long enough to hear God’s voice. Camp intentionally removes those distractions and replaces them with worship, reflection, and meaningful connection. Stillness is rare—but at camp, it becomes possible.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

Many young people grow up around faith, but camp helps that faith become their own. Through powerful worship, relatable messages, and authentic community, they begin to ask their own questions—and discover their own relationship with Jesus.

Whether it’s trying a new activity, stepping outside their comfort zone, or learning to serve others, camp stretches young people in all the right ways. They come home more confident—not just in themselves, but in who God created them to be.

Ask almost any adult who attended camp as a child, and they’ll tell you—it was a defining moment in their spiritual journey. The songs, the prayers, the decisions made there… they become milestones in a lifelong walk with God.

This summer camp isn’t just another option, it’s an invitation to unplug, to grow, to belong, and most importantly, to encounter Jesus in a real and lasting way.

Want to check out Cohutta Springs Youth Camp? Click here.