10/07/2026
Let Them!
“It was the last week of summer,” Shaun remembered. “The last big push of camp. My co-counselor, Abby, and I had agreed that while it may be the last week for us, it was the first week for the campers. So, despite our limited
energy reserves, we were going to give it everything we had.”
“As the week began our campers were willing to lead some things, so we let them. We gave them the opportunity to take on responsibilities they might not have in their day-to-day life.”
“On Thursday our group traveled to Dundee Falls. The group loved seeing the falls and enjoyed the hiking trails. It helped them get out of their comfort zone and pulled them together to form a close-knit group. On a challenging
hike and in a new setting everyone was on equal footing. As a counselor of a group of older campers it is good to let go and let them try. We made sure they had supervision and that they were safe. We let the campers become leaders. We as counselors became mentors supporting them. They had their own communication, everyone was in sync, everyone was transitioning and communicating together, playing games and thriving. Everyone
listened to each other; they made plans and did things together as a group.
“Everyone in the group had a transformative experience. Even though my co-counselor and I were exhausted at the beginning of the week, at the end we felt like we could do another week with the group. Instead of us pulling
the group together, the campers pulled us in. We kept thinking of new ways we could challenge this group and their bond. It was a great way to end the summer.”
Your generosity allows counselors and campers alike to try leadership, take on new responsibilities, and try on new attitudes and actions in a safe, inviting setting, creating wonderful memories and close-knit bonds during a week of summer camp. Thank you for your support!
Wanake Camp and Retreat Center
9463 Manchester Ave SW, Beach City, Ohio 44608
[email protected] – www.campwanake.org
You may give a gift to the ministry at Wanake by sending a check or visiting our website.
