Jul 3, 2014 by webteam
Recently, some members of the FUMC youth groups attended Junior High CLEW camp. Most were campers, but a couple of the high schoolers and recent graduates served as leaders at the camp. Here are some pictures from the week as well as a few thoughts from participants in their own words. (Click on the pictures to view them full-sized.)

The reason I liked going to camp was learning more about God and meeting new friends and just hanging out there
– Shayla McCraw

As a camper, I grew from being a quiet and shy little seventh grader that was highly susceptible to homesickness, to a proud grad that couldn’t imagine leaving CLEW camp for the last time as a camper. CLEW camp became such a big part of my life throughout my middle and high school years because that’s what I believe helped me to become the woman I am today. I not only learned and understood God in ways I never expected when I was a camper, but I also learned something new about myself every time I was in the canyon. Small groups gave me friends that I know I can always count on to this day. Worship touched my heart in ways that freed me from my own burdens. I am forever grateful for the experience this camp gave me as a camper. My last year as a camper I came to realize what my calling in life was: counseling. So when I had the opportunity to come back as a leader, it was truly a blessing. I was able to use what I had learned as a camper and incorporate those skills into small group, but I wasn’t the only one teaching. My kids taught me so much too. To see the Holy Spirit working in each one of my small group members was amazing. None of them knew each other before, but they left with ten new friends. This camp gives campers the same sense of safety and freedom to grow and learn that I experienced as a camper, and it was surreal to see everything play out on the other side. Being a leader, I was more attuned to the light shining in the kids around me instead of focusing on how to brighten my own like I did as a camper. I can only compare the experience to a game we played in small group. We blindfolded one kid and led them through a maze that the group made. The one with the blindfold completed the course over and over until they could do it by themselves. As a camper, I didn’t know where I was headed but I could feel myself being led closer and closer to where I was meant to be, I was blindfolded. As a leader, my blindfold was taken off. I could see the path I took and that these kids were now on their own journey to the same destination. This camp has shaped so many people, and to have the opportunity to be a leader and witness and guide more of Oklahoma’s youth to Christ in the same way that lead me is a truly humbling and eye-opening experience that I am honored to have.
– Abby Craighead


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