“They come back leaders!” That’s how Pastor Steve Winsor describes the impact of Lutherock on youth from his congregation.
Steve serves Nativity Lutheran Church and School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. For years, he has been bringing youth for a week of summer camp at Lutherock because he knows firsthand the power of camp.
“Lutherock was a large part of my call to ministry,” Steve says. Steve first came to Lutherock as an adult leader, accompanying a large group of youth from St. Petersburg. “I had never been to camp before, and I fell in love with the place immediately,” Steve recalls. “I loved the outdoors. I loved seeing the kids open up and be themselves. It was easier to see God at work at camp and the experience captured me.”
Years later, after answering the call the ministry and returning to Florida as a pastor, Steve renewed his annual journey to Lutherock with campers from his congregation. “Lutherock makes a huge impact on our youth,” Steve says. “They learn leadership, they grow in faith, and they find a voice. It’s so valuable for them, and for our whole church.”
In preparation for camp this past summer, Steve started to wonder how camp could have an even greater impact on people in his congregation. “I got it in my mind last fall,” remembers Steve, “that we should be bringing adults to camp too, not just youth. So, I gathered the parents in our church together and I told them, ‘We want to take your kids to Lutherock, but we want you to go along as well.’ And they took me up on it because they wanted to be a part of the love and adventure.” In all, 10 adults from Nativity went to camp along with youth campers.
Steve sees the impact the week of camp had on the adults who went to Lutherock as well. “Some of them have not stopped talking about it. It was such a great opportunity to build connections and build community. They came back stronger leaders too.”
Among the adventures both youth and adults from Nativity participated in this past summer at Lutherock was a day of caving. Steve was especially moved by the time his group spent that day. “It was absolutely challenging, but so rewarding,” Steve shares. “I loved seeing people experience joy and just let go in a situation that seems like it’s going to be intimidating. Of course it was a little scary for everyone, going underground and being in the dark. But it’s better to be with a lot of people in the dark than to be by yourself in the dark. Camp teaches us lessons like that.”
Thank you for your gifts to NovusWay which provide opportunities for children, youth, and adults to know the love of God and experience adventure in God’s creation.
