LCU Camps: A Legacy of Changing Lives
For decades, LCU Summer Camps have welcomed middle and high school students to campus for weeklong experiences designed to strengthen their faith, build community and point them toward Christ. But the impact of these camps reaches far beyond the students who attend. For the LCU students who serve as counselors, camp can become a formative part of their own spiritual journeys.
That connection between young campers and LCU students was part of the vision from the beginning. In the early 1970s, John King (’68), then Director of Admissions, recognized the need to draw young people to campus while giving LCU students meaningful opportunities to interact with and invest in them. He re-engineered what had been the Youth Lectureship into Encounter Camp for high school students and later established Camp Champion for middle schoolers. More than 50 years later, that vision continues as LCU students step into roles that allow them to serve, mentor and grow alongside the next generation.
“Without fail, we hear how beneficial the experience of attending summer camp is for our campers, but it is just as meaningful for our LCU Summer Camp counselors and staff,” explained Josh Stephens (’00), LCU Dean of Students and Director of Summer Camps.
“During Encounter, our counselors share how the classes they attend bless their spiritual journey,” he continued. “At Camp Champion, our counselors talk about the significance of mentoring middle school students and how impactful the time they spend as a staff is on their personal lives and their journey as an LCU student. I believe LCU Summer Camps are a vehicle the Holy Spirit uses to connect to the minds and hearts of everyone in attendance.”
For many counselors, their own time as campers directly led to their desire to return as counselors, giving back to an experience that was formative in their own spiritual walks.
“I grew up going to Encounter, and it has always had such a big impact on my faith,” shared Kate Tucker, a sophomore exercise and sport sciences major from Fort Worth. “I chose to be a counselor to be able to walk alongside and encourage people as they are also strengthening their own walk with Christ, just as my own counselors did.”
Karleigh Babcock, a junior from Arlington studying integrated marketing and communications, shared a similar motivation.
“Encounter has been one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever been a part of,” she emphasized. “I love the idea of being a part of something bigger than myself and allowing the Lord to reach the hearts of students through me!”
For others, becoming a counselor came from a desire to mentor students navigating adolescence and the challenges that come with it.
“I chose to be a counselor because I remember what life was like when I was in high school,” shared Gabriel Montalvo, a junior pre-nursing major from Littlefield. “I remember all the silent battles that I fought alone and all the bad things that came with them. I want the kids that come to camp, regardless of what problems they have, to know that Jesus can meet them where they are and bring them the transformation that they have been looking for. No one should have to do life alone,” he added.
Each counselor brings their own excitement for different parts of camp, but for many, a similar theme emerges in the closeness that forms during nightly small groups. After the keynote, counselors lead their assigned campers through a discussion about the message they have just heard. What begins as a conversation about the evening’s lesson often becomes more personal as campers share their experiences, questions and struggles. Over the course of the week, those conversations build trust and create relationships that can have a lasting impact.
“I am always really excited for small group time,” shared Bryce Davis, a senior criminal justice major from Lubbock. “It was something that was very special to me when I was a camper, and it still is now that I’m a counselor.”
Gabriel echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the deeper connections that develop during those conversations.
“It’s a beautiful time of vulnerability and humility,” he said. “It’s always amazing to see the kids open up around one another, especially when on day one many are too nervous to say anything.”
And as many counselors discover, acts of service have a unique way of encouraging the very people doing the serving.
“It’s so fulfilling to be able to serve and watch campers grow in faith, but it’s also so good for your own spiritual growth as you get to go to classes and hear the keynote speakers,” Bryce emphasized.
“I certainly grew in humility this week,” Kate added at the end of Encounter this past June. “I was reminded of how powerful our God is and how small we are compared to the whole of creation, and yet He still died for each and every one of us, His precious children. I saw my campers grow in vulnerability as they slowly opened up more and more. They also realized that they don’t have to run this race alone, but they have people around them who care for them and love them.”
For many counselors, some of the most impactful moments of camp come when the relationships they build with their campers lead to something eternal. For some, that means having the opportunity to baptize them.
“My favorite thing was the last night of small group because one of my campers got baptized,” Kate shared. “It was really special.”
Karleigh shared a similar response, and Gabriel added, “My favorite memory was definitely getting the opportunity to pour into my campers and then getting the opportunity to baptize one of them at the end of the week.”
“As a follower of Christ, no matter what denomination, we all have a calling that is so much greater than ourselves,” shared Gabriel. “We are called daily to pick up our crosses and follow Jesus, but it’s so rewarding when you can share the divine love of Jesus with a younger generation who is desperately seeking a Savior. It’s not only a blessing to campers during their walks. As a counselor, you learn so much more from your campers than you would ever imagine!”
“Do something bigger than yourself and your world!” echoed Karleigh. “It’s so incredibly rewarding, and not every college has this. It’s so worth it.”
“I feel so blessed that I have a front-row seat to watch our students open themselves up to being servants for God’s purpose,” shared Stephens. “As you can imagine, many of these campers come from broken homes and difficult situations. These teens share those experiences with their counselors, and our students meet them with love and support. They show Jesus in how they connect and engage with their campers.
“I often remind our Encounter and Camp Champion counselors that they may not see the fruit of this investment on this side of eternity, but my prayer is that God will reveal how He used them in these roles someday,” he added. “God is definitely using them to further His Kingdom!”