H2O Work Crew

This summer marked my fourth year being a THRIVE leader at camp H2O, SFB’s high school summer camp. As I reflect over the years, each summer gets better and better. From the unity of our staff, to the amazing boat drivers, to our fantastic cooks, every year seems to emulate a well oiled machine.

This year we added a new element to camp for our graduated seniors, which we called “work crew”. Three of our graduates came to serve at camp, in return receiving half off the cost of camp, with the understanding that the work they did would pay off the remaining half. In my opinion, the work they did went above and beyond just half their camp payment. All three of them worked incredibly hard, and not just when asked to.

Throughout the week they each took on a sense of higher responsibility around camp, looking for things to be done and doing them without any leaders having to ask, whether it was taking out the trash, re-filling water jugs, or replacing paper towels in the bathroom. It was definitely the cleanest camp we have ever had!

 One day in particular, we had a bit of a problem with the restrooms. Our only work crew guy graduate spent a couple hours in the bathrooms, mucking out water that had flooded. He volunteered to help and gave up his entire free time, including time on the boats, to do this. That evening, the other two girls on our work crew asked if they could do the kitchen duties by themselves, to give the guy a break since he worked so hard that day. To me, they represented such sacrifice and a willingness to serve not only the camp, but each other as well! I am extremely proud of them and the work they did there. It excites me that these are the young men and women that are coming out of Thrive – they set such an example for the ones that come after them. I am also very excited to see this element of our camp grow and flourish.

On behalf of all the leaders and students of THIRVE I want to thank each of you who support and pray for student ministry here at Salem First. Your prayers were evident as we experienced God revealing His character and love to us through another great summer at Camp H2O.

Jessica Ivanitsky

First Baptist website: www.fbcsalem.org

to respond to this email: fbc@fbcsalem.org