Long Time Camper to First Time Counselor

"When you are surrounded by people who love the Lord and are actively pursuing that relationship with Him, not only do you get to see the goodness of God in your life, but also in the lives of the people around you." ~Gentry Stutts

King's Camp 2026 is just a few days away as we continue with our personal testimonies about camp. This time Gentry Stutts is giving us a window into her experience. Gentry is a long time camper, and this year her King's Camp story begins a new chapter as a first-year counselor. We are so excited to have Gentry on our team! In her counselor interview it was evident that the she wanted to share her King's Camp experience with campers, and they are in for a real treat! She is a treasure!

Gentry's story:

King’s Camp has been a part of my life from a very young age, and I honestly can’t remember what it was like not going there every summer. I have an older brother and older cousins who would go to camp and when I wasn’t old enough to go, I just could not wait until it was my turn. When my turn finally did come, I fell in love with the place and the people immediately. There was just something about King’s Camp that made me feel so safe, seen, and loved.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that it was the presence of the Lord. It wasn’t the ropes, canoes, or even the 4:15 activities thatkept me coming back, it was the people who were so invested in me and my life, the counselors who poured into me every single year, and the peace of the Lord that I felt in every walk to the barn and his creativeness that I saw in every sunset. Sure, it might be blazing hot and the mosquitos can be bad, but that doesn’t even compare to the true goodness that is found here!

God has met me at King’s Camp in so many ways. My first encounter with the Lord that I can remember was atKing’s Camp, and I was also saved at camp. I have truly learned so much about God and his character there and have seen him do amazing things. My faith has grown immensely at this place, and I would not be where I am in my walk with the Lord if it hadn’t been for King’s Camp. No matter how heavy my life might have felt walking into camp, six days later I left feeling so refreshed and so new every single time.

Camp feels like a place unplugged from the rest of the world. Because campers aren’t allowed their phones at camp, it allows for more intentional conversations, better relationships,and a whole lot more memories made that maybe we don’t have captured on a screen, but we will never forget. A week with no phone used to sound impossible to me, but later I found myself looking forward to a week of no distractions. All my problems in my life definitely didn’t disappear after I left camp, but I had a strong foundation and a better perspective to handle the adversities in my life. I had been prepared for troubles to come and even if I wasn’t, I had someone to call for guidance.

The Lord’s faithfulness is so evident in my experiences with King’s Camp. I have such a love for this place and the people involved in it, and to be able to come back this summer as a counselor means so much to me. As a little girl, Ilooked up to my counselors so much and hung on to every word of truth they spoke to me. I want to be that girl for my campers this summer and pour the love of Christ into them. I want to be a vessel for the Lord in whatever way He sees fit and give Him all the glory! My relationships with so many people at King’s Camp have prevailed much past just a week or two out of the summer. It has given me people I know I can call at any time with anything, and I know they will be there for me and point me in the right direction.

This place has given me so many new friendships and helped me grow friendships I already had. It is rare that you see so many young people pursuing the Lord, but it is so special when you get to be a part of it. When you are surrounded by people who love the Lord and are actively pursuing that relationship with Him, not only do you get to see the goodness of God in your life, but also in the lives of the people around you. This truly is The King’s Camp! Thank you, Jesus, for that and thank you, Jesus, for all the ways this place has blessed me. I hope to give back to this place in every way I can this summer!