ast week, we took our middle school students to Wild Side, a camp at Round Lake Christian Camp in Lakeville, Ohio. It was a fantastic week where our kids got to connect deeply with God, free from the usual distractions. Without their cell phones, they could fully immerse themselves in fun activities, morning devotions, worship, and evening messages.
The camp hosted a couple of hundred students from various churches, and the setting was beautiful. There were water slides, jet skis, basketball courts, and even tetherball. Each morning after devotions, we had a special event of the day. One day, we had Color Wars, where everyone got covered in paint and slid through colorful slip and slides. Another day, we had Cabin Olympics with fun, competitive challenges. The kids loved every minute of it, from dodgeball tournaments to jet ski tubing.
Discipling middle schoolers comes with its challenges, primarily due to their short attention spans. But the week-long camp allowed us to repeatedly reinforce messages through devotions, worship, and small group discussions. One standout moment was during our extended prayer time. After spending 20 minutes in silence and solitude, many students shared how God spoke to them. One eighth grader, who felt rejected, was told by three different people from different churches that he was "chosen and not rejected," which deeply touched him.
Seeing our sixth graders grow in their faith was particularly rewarding. They participated in everything, from Color Wars to morning devotions. One boy, who initially struggled to hear God, learned to discern His voice with the help of his peers. Another student, overwhelmed by fears about the afterlife, found comfort as we discussed the promises of Revelation.
Our leaders played a crucial role, constantly engaging with the kids, whether in activities or serious conversations. Their dedication ensured that our students felt supported and understood, leading to significant spiritual growth.
Wild Side was more than just fun; it was a profound experience of faith and community. Seeing our students take steps closer to Jesus made every challenge worthwhile.
Joseph Furno
Student Ministries Pastor
