Last month I wrote about how NaCoMe isn't shy about asking for help. We're incredibly grateful for all the different ways that our community supports us. And this month, I'm going to ask for some specific help: praying for our summer staff.
There is not a more influential ingredient to our summer camp programs than our summer staff. This group is the key to the experience for our summer campers and our summer retreat groups. Right now we're in the middle of staff training, an intense experience designed to prepare these young adults to not only assume responsibility for the campers' safety but also to create the magic of camp for everyone that comes this summer. That's a lot to ask for, and we know it. Staff training sessions run from the obvious (rules and personnel policies) to the abstract and creative (letting all of these counselors completely design our evening All Camp Games). One of my favorite sessions each year is letting the summer staff decide for themselves what goals they want to set. If this group had a mission statement, what would it be? This year, they came up with this:
Every Camper or Guest at NaCoMe will experience:
1) Acceptance & Belonging
2) Something Outside Their Comfort Zone
3) A Safe Environment to Face Challenges and Grow in Their Faith
We might be throwing a lot at these young adults, but I'm here to tell you that they'll rise to the occasion - I've seen it countless times already. Please join me in praying for this incredible staff as they lead our summer campers and retreat guests through a great summer!
-Ryan "Flash" Moore, Director