Center

“Friendships at camp are different from friendships at home,” says Wyatt, a high school camper at Luther Springs. “At home, friendships are less serious, but at camp we can talk about anything and people are open to hearing you.”

Wyatt first got connected to Luther Springs when a family friend invited him. He’s come back every summer since. For the last several summers, Wyatt has attended ‘Gators’ week at Luther Springs, where campers stay up later and later every night. The quality time and late-night conversations Wyatt has shared with other campers has been one of his favorite parts of camp. “I love being with the friends I’ve met at camp,” Wyatt says. “Being here has helped me learn to be vulnerable with people and share more about myself and my character. Sometimes it’s hard to open up to others, but my friends at camp push me to be a better person.”

Wyatt says his experiences at Luther Springs have been shaped by the young adult counselors who have been mentors to him over the years. “I’ve been able to watch counselors lead by example,” Wyatt shares. “They’ve helped me learn to be patient and respect others’ opinions. Because I’ve had those mentors, I am trying to be a mentor to some of the younger campers now.”

Counselors at Luther Springs also serve as Bible study leaders, and Wyatt appreciates the impact their leadership has had on his faith. “It can be hard to interpret things in the Bible,” Wyatt says. “With our counselors, it makes it easier to understand and apply to our daily lives. What centers me at Luther Springs is making God the center of my life. It’s harder to do that at home. It helps when you are around people who keep you in check.”

One of the most memorable parts of a Gators week at Luther Springs is staying up on the last night and beginning the day with sunrise worship at the lake. It’s always a special moment for Wyatt. “There’s a lot of beauty in nature,” Wyatt says. “I love being at the lake and seeing sunrises and sunsets. There’s a beauty that we find in each other too, in our interactions and relationships with Christ. There’s a lot of beauty every time we are together, at camp and in church.”

Your gifts to NovusWay give campers time in nature to explore the wonder of God’s creation and form meaningful friendships. Thank you for your generous support of this ministry where lives are transformed to love and serve!