Time and time again, God met me where I was with compassion...

"He is present in the in-between."

Camille Glath, 2nd from right.

We are halfway through our camp season already. We've just completed two amazing weeks and are gearing up for Junior High week and then High School week. If there are any high school students considering camp but are reluctant, perhaps even anxious, we hope you'll find comfort in Camille Glath's story. As we continue our stories about camp, Camille shares her experience of trusting God in the midst of uncertainty.

Here's Camille story:

For most of my life, King's Camp has been one of the biggest parts of my journey with Christ. I spent 13 summers there as a camper, and last summer I had the opportunity to come

back as a counselor. Looking back now, it’s hard to explain just how much camp shaped me into the person I am today. It gave me lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, and most

importantly, a stronger relationship with the Lord. God met me in every season of my life, but it didn’t come without challenges.

When I first started going to camp, life felt simple. I was still in elementary school, and there wasn’t much pressure to be anything other than myself. Camp was exciting and carefree. But as I got older and entered middle school, things started to change. Like so many people at that age, I became insecure and unsure of who I was. I worried constantly about what people

thought of me, and instead of opening up, I decided it would be easier to shelter myself.

Camp quickly became a place that pushed me out of my comfort zone, and honestly, I

hated that at first. I remember one particular year when my parents dropped me off like normal, but almost immediately I felt a stinging feeling of homesickness. I barely knew anyone in my cabin, and the thought of trying to make new friends sounded terrifying. Those first couple of

days felt heavy. I was anxious, sad, and reluctant to let myself fully enjoy the experience. I kept myself guarded because itfelt safer that way. However, I was blessed with counselors who were patient, kind, and full of grace. They didn’t force meto open up overnight, but they consistently spoke peace and love over me throughout the week. By Tuesday, I was having the most fun of my life. Looking back now, it’s amazing to see how the Lord used those people to remind me

that I wasn’t alone.

As the years went on, camp slowly became my safe place. By the time I got to high

school, I no longer felt that same fear or anxiety when I arrived. God had used my experience to help me grow in confidence socially and spiritually. Year after year, He kept bringing me back, and every summer I learned something new about His faithfulness.

Then last summer came, and suddenly I was returning to camp in a completely different role. I expected to feel confident as a counselor because camp had been part of my life for so long, but honestly, I was nervous all over again. That same uneasy feeling I experienced as a camper started creeping back in. It was scary knowing that I would have to teach these kids

about the Lord when I was still trying to teach myself. In two very different stages of life, there was a reluctancy that kept me from opening up and letting Him work in me, but He was still

moving.

One of the sweetest parts of being a counselor was realizing that my past struggles actually allowed me to connect with campers who felt the exact same way I once did. I

understood the homesickness, the anxiety, the fear of opening up, and the discomfort of being pushed outside yourcomfort zone. Because I had lived through those feelings myself, I could encourage others with genuine compassion.

That experience taught me something I’ll carry forever: God can turn hardships into

beautiful things. The very things we think will hold us back are often the things He uses most powerfully for His glory.

If I had allowed those heavy feelings to define my time at camp years ago, I truly don’t think I would be where I am today. Time and time again, God met me where I was with compassion, and I now feel an eagerness to continue learning and talking about Him with zero hesitance. When I reflect on my years at camp, I realize that growth rarelyhappened when I felt comfortable. It happened when I was forced to trust Him even in the uncertainty, and not once did that let me down.

He is present in the in-between, and He always will be!