The purpose of human life is for God the Father and Jesus Christ to expand their family by reproducing Themselves. That simple but incredibly profound reality is the answer to why we are here! Why are they doing that? The Bible makes it clear that relationships are the most meaningful element of existence, whether that existence is physical or spiritual in nature.

In a song about relationships titled “Bring Your Love to Me,” folk-rock band The Avett Brothers capture that life can be lived alone, but as the lyrics point out: “…just not as well, and besides, what kind of fun is there to be had with no one else?” Those words echo a consistent theme that can be seen and heard in every form of human expression. It accurately reflects the reality that life is better as a shared experience!

Being at camp provides fantastic opportunities to develop and practice the relational skills that help us become full members of the spiritual family that God the Father and Jesus Christ are building. Three types of relationships that you can develop and work on at camp are your relationship with God, with mentors and with friends and peers.     

Your relationship with God

Camp is a great time to focus on and respond to the incredible and exciting reality that God wants a relationship with you! On the Feast of Pentecost, just weeks after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Apostle Peter was speaking to a crowd of people about the opportunity for salvation through repentance and the relationship with God that Christ’s death provided for them. He explains, “For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself” (Acts 2:39, English Standard Version).

These words share the wonderful reality that God extends the opportunity for a relationship with Him to those whom He is directly working with at any given time, to their children and ultimately to all people in the timing that He chooses to call them. You are blessed and privileged to have that opportunity now, and camp is a fantastic place to strengthen that relationship.

Throughout His revealed Word, God repeatedly shares His desire to be with His people. After Israel was delivered from captivity in Egypt, as the tabernacle in the wilderness was being prepared as a physical structure for God to inhabit, He made it clear through Moses: “I am the LORD their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 29:46).

Many hundreds of years later as He prepared for His final Passover, Jesus Christ, the One who had inhabited that tabernacle, shared with His disciples that He and God the Father come to those who obey them and make their home with them (John 14:23). This refers to Them dwelling through the power of the Holy Spirit with those who respond to being called.

Relationships are built by spending time together and communicating with one another. At camp, God’s way of life is the primary focus. All activities are structured with the goal of learning to live His way of life by experiencing it during the time at camp. Coming together in an environment where He is the center of attention is a great way to spend time with Him. At camp we are able to regularly dedicate time to communicate with Him by praying, reading His Word and practicing His way.

Your relationships with mentors

Being at camp is a great way for both campers and staff to build connections and relationships with others who can mentor them in living God’s way. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “mentor” as, “a trusted counselor or guide, [a] coach.” While dorm counselors serve in the very important role of guiding and coaching a group of campers, everyone that comes to camp has the opportunity to both give and receive meaningful mentoring support!

Jesus Christ, our example in all things, has many names throughout the Bible. Not surprisingly, one of those names is “Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6). The Blue Letter Bible Concordance shows that this word describes someone who advises, consults and plans together with someone else. It’s a wonderful role that our Savior plays in leading us through life, and camp is a fantastic time to experience that relationship with Him and with others who are learning to be like Him and following His example.

The Bible is also clear that seeking out mentors who strengthen you by providing right and purposeful counsel is a key to succeeding spiritually and in all areas of life. Proverbs 1:5 states, “A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel . . .” Proverbs 15:22 clearly states the benefit of seeking and pursuing guidance in life: “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisors they succeed” (ESV).

Campers can receive guidance and coaching in many aspects of life from their dorm counselors, activity staff, camp administrators and even from one another. Staff members also have a great opportunity to support one another throughout and beyond the time at camp. The focused environment provides many occasions to practice supporting and walking alongside others who are in similar and different phases of life, sharing experience in God’s way for the benefit of all.

Your relationships with friends and peers

Camp is also a great place to build and strengthen lasting friendships. Some of my closest friends today are people whom I became much closer to while we were campers and staff together at camps 20 years ago. The camp environment is unique in its separation from external influences to spend time together in learning and enjoyment. That environment enables the development of friendship bonds that are hard to replicate anywhere else.

In a portion of his letter to the Romans that has much to say about using God’s way to form solid relational connections, the apostle Paul offers a simple but profound recipe for building friendships that will endure over time: “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other” (Romans 12:9-10, New Living Translation).

As you prepare for camp this year, challenge yourself. Set a goal to make building meaningful relationships your primary focus. Draw closer to God by dedicating time and attention to getting to know Him. Purposefully connect with people who can guide you with wise counsel that equips you to navigate life, and look for opportunities to share what you learn with others who can benefit from it too. Be kind. Listen. Show genuine respect to everyone.

As Biblical scholar William Barclay’s New Daily Study Bible points out with respect to the mutual love described in Romans 12, “We are not strangers to each other within the [Church]; much less are we isolated units; we are brothers and sisters, because we have the one Father, God.” The most important things that you can take away from camp each year are the relationship connections that bring us closer to becoming future members of God’s family for eternity!