"...we decided that we would one day apply to be counselors together."

We continue to share stories of camp this week. Read Addison Williams story. She shares her experience as a camper—finding friendship, community, and her faith in God...to becoming a counselor —"to give back to the place that has given so much..."

It's a joy to see how Addison has grown from a shy camper into a courageous young woman sharing the love of God on her college campus and beyond. Addison is currently studying abroad, but will be with us again this summer in her third year as a counselor.

We love seeing our campers grow into amazing counselors!

Addison (on the left) with her friend, Sarah.

Addison's story:

I don’t know who I would be today without King’s Camp. I started attending camp at age 11 and quickly fell in love with how at home I felt there. When I started coming to camp, I really didn’t know who Jesus was or what it meant to live a life for him. I had heard his name and knew that I should believe in him, but I didn’t know what that looked like. I could feel the presence of the Lord there with me, even when I didn’t really know what that was. I felt it in the way my counselors loved me, in the peaceful moments of watching the most beautiful sunsets, and in the overwhelming joy that camp held. As I got older, I began to find my own faith in God, just as my counselors had. Every counselor I have ever had has a place in my testimony and helped me to become the believer that I am today. While I may not remember every barn service or every quiet time, I remember feeling so loved and valued by each counselor.

Camp also brought me one of my best friends when I was growing up. One summer, Sarah’s mom asked me if she could put Sarah’s things on the bunk above mine, and my simple, timid “yes ma’am” was the start of the most beautiful friendship. Throughout every season of my life, from middle school, high school, moving states away for college, to now living in a different country for study abroad, Sarah has been such a rock in my life. She has shown me the importance of having Christ-centered friendships, and if it weren’t for King’s Camp, we likely would have never met each other. She and I have grown up together and have had countless conversations about how much camp has given us.

Addison as a young camper.

 As high school campers and work study volunteers, Sarah's and my love for camp grew even more than we thought possible, and we decided that we would one day apply to be counselors together. We really wanted to give back to the place that has given so much to us throughout the last almost 10 years. That day finally came in the summer of 2024 when we drove under the canoe as we always had, except now we were there for staff training, not to get our cabin assignments for the week and meet our counselors. Being a counselor has changed my life so much. I have learned not only practical skills, but I also learned so much about myself. I am forever thankful that God saw me fit to care for the children of his kingdom in this ministry. Through leading children at camp, my faith has grown tremendously. I always say that those kids teach me far more than I can ever teach them, and I’m so thankful for every conversation, cabin joke, and skit night. Each activity brings a new opportunity to point back to Jesus and bring him into the conversation. Being at camp for five weeks, surrounded by other believers and constantly talking about God, has really opened doors for growth in my life. Working here presents situations where you truly just go to God and say, “God, I can’t do this, I need you to do it through me.” Fully putting your reliance and faith in the Lord’s supernatural ability will build your trust in the most amazing ways.

I wouldn’t trade my job for any single thing on Earth. I am so incredibly thankful for every child, every co-worker, every speaker, and every parent I encounter at camp. Each week presents so many chances to spread the gospel, and you never know what the weeks will bring. God shows up in the most miraculous and cool ways at camp, and I am forever grateful for the blessings he has given me. I hope to continue passing under the canoe for as long as I live and hope to help King’s Camp continue to be such an influential place for young people.