Elden Ramirez baptizing his daughter Elennie in 2013, atsummer camp.
For many young people, such moments occur at summer camp. In a world where anxiety, depression, and social isolation among youth are at an all-time high, research has demonstrated that intentional experiences in nature, especially within faith-based communities, have a profound impact on mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. According to the American Camp Association, 96% of campers said that camp helped them make new friends, and 70% of parents reported that their child gained self-confidence as a result of the camp experience.
Ellen G. White, recognizing the power of God’s creation to impart eternal truths, wrote: “Next to the Bible, nature is to be our great lesson book. In it God has revealed Himself to us.”² She further emphasized, “To the little child, not yet capable of learning from the printed page or of being introduced to the routine of the schoolroom, nature presents an unfailing source of instruction and delight.”³ White described nature as a spiritual classroom, where simple natural scenes teach profound truths: “In the home school, nature may be constantly at work to teach her precious lessons. The little child finds delight in the works of nature, and his parents should make it their business to point out the marvels of God’s handiwork. The impressions thus made will not be soon forgotten.”⁴
Summer camp embodies this model by removing distractions and immersing young people in an environment where faith becomes tangible. It is a place where Scripture is not only read but experienced, through awe-inspiring sunsets, fireside prayers, and the gentle voice of the Spirit calling hearts to Jesus.
Recent research reinforces the spiritual and developmental significance of Christian camp ministry. A 2021 study published in the Journal of Youth Development identified five foundational characteristics of Christian camps: relational, safe space,
participatory, unplugged from home, and faith-centered.⁵ These elements, combined, support deep personal and spiritual growth. Another study presented to the Association of Youth Ministry Educators concluded that summer camp staff experiences significantly contribute to long-term faith formation and leadership development through mentoring, reflective practices, and the rhythm of daily spiritual life.⁶
The Seventh-day Adventist Church reflects this pattern. Many university administrators, professors, healthcare professionals and church leaders trace their leadership journeys back to summer camp. Serving as counselors, worship leaders, or program directors, they were shaped by a model of servant leadership that strengthened their calling and spiritual resilience.
My own life was forever changed at summer camp. As a child, I sat under the stars at the campfire bowl, surrounded by young people, listening intently as the summer camp pastor shared the gospel and appealed for baptism. That night, as the flames flickered and the Spirit moved, I made the life-changing decision to be baptized. I had no idea then how profoundly that moment would shape my life. Years later, God led me back to that same camp, this time not as a camper but as its director. Serving in that sacred place, I had the indescribable privilege of watching my own children walk the same path of faith, making their own decision to follow Jesus. In one of the most meaningful moments of my life, I stood in the river at that camp and baptized them, witnessing firsthand the faithfulness of God across generations. That day, they became fifth-generation Seventh-day Adventists. More importantly, they made the most significant decision of their lives, to follow Jesus for themselves. It was not just an inherited faith but a personal commitment to the Author of their salvation. That day, they fully embraced the gift of salvation, a gift they now treasure and that continues to strengthen their walk with Christ.
Summer camp is a place where the Holy Spirit moves unmistakably, not only in the lives of campers but also in the young adults who dedicate their summers to ministry. Year after year, staff members return, eager to invest in children, yet they often find that the Spirit is transforming their own hearts as well. Whether leading worship, mentoring campers, or simply offering a listening ear, they discover that ministry is not only about what they give, but about what God does in them.
With all that camp ministry offers, it is heartbreaking to know that many children are unable to attend due to financial limitations. For those whose lives have been touched by camp, I encourage you to prayerfully consider sponsoring a child. If there are children in need within your local church, you can start there. However, if your church does not have children in need, you can reach out to your conference youth director, who is continually working to assist kids who cannot afford to attend camp. A single week of camp can change the course of a young person’s life forever. It is more than just a place for fun and adventure; it is holy ground, where the presence of God is felt, where young hearts are called to Jesus, and where lives are transformed for eternity.
References:
1. American Camp Association. “The Value of Camp.” https://www.acacamps.org/parents-families/benefits-camp/value-camp
2. Ellen G. White, Child Guidance, p. 45.2. https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/8.172#172
3. Ibid., p. 47.1. https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/8.172#172
4. Ibid., p. 48.1. https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/8.172#172
5. Sorenson, J., & Price, A. (2021). “The Fundamental Characteristics and Unique Outcomes of Christian Summer Camp Experiences.” Journal of Youth Development, 16(1). https://jyd.pitt.edu/ojs/jyd/article/download/181301FA10/582
6. Sorenson, J. (2017). “The Role of Summer Camp Staff Experiences in Faith Formation and Leadership Development.” Presented at the Association of Youth Ministry Educators Annual Conference. https://www.aymeducators.org/wp-content/uploads/Role-of-Summer-Camp-Staff-Experiences-Jacob-Sorenson.pdf
Elden Ramirez is president of the Lake Union Conference.
