Since 1957, North Star Camp has been a place of ministry to the kids and youth of the Minnesota Conference. However, in summer 2020 that ministry looked strangely different. With high-level COVID restrictions, gathering kids from multiple households for overnight camp was not a possibility. So, a small team of staff brought digital ministry to the campers.
Weekly live vespers with music and a devotional thought drew together hundreds of viewers who tuned into North Star Camp for a God moment to start their Sabbath. With the goal of bringing the Bible to life, our staff wrote a 7-part play called Brave, about Paul’s conversion and spiritual journey. We videoed this play and shared an episode each week, inviting campers to connect with God and find courage, peace, and hope in Him.
Last July, we added family retreats to the ministries we were offering. And we were able to serve 119 people through these relaxing weekend retreats which allowed families to get out in nature and bond together through activities and programs. While not the typical look of a North Star Camp summer, it was wonderful to be able to support families as they were looking for fresh ways to spend family time.
This unique summer of 2020 also provided opportunities to work on camp improvement projects. One of the biggest projects you will be able to see is the upgraded field. North Star’s central field has long had drainage problems that caused washouts and bumps in this play area. With lower camper traffic, we were able to regrade the field, put in a better sidewalk system, and reseed it for a more beautiful, smooth area for meetings and activities. Some of the other improvement projects included:clearing and mapping trails, dredging the waterway, deep-cleaning activity areas, and rebuilding a retaining wall. I am excited to get back to a more typical summer season this year, but we were blessed that so much ministry happened even through hard circumstances.
Summer 2021
“In summer breeze and gentle dew… is seen the love that restores. And nature still speaks to us of God’s goodness.” – Ellen White, Education p. 101
This new camp season is in full swing. I have had the privilege of seeing God bring together an amazing group of staff. We have record numbers of campers signed up. And our wonderful camp team has put together multiple programing schedules and protocols that should allow us to serve campers safely, even if there is a rise in COVID numbers.
Given the social isolation, stress, and fear this last year has brought, I believe this summer presents unprecedented ministry opportunities. Coming out of this difficult year we are all more aware of our needs than ever before. But we are so blessed because we know that a relationship with Jesus provides that security, joy, and peace that campers need. I love working at camp as I have a front-row seat to witness God working in the lives of our campers and staff.
North Star Camp’s mission is to provide opportunities, through nature and Christian community, for youth to grow in their relationship with Jesus. This week-long evangelism project has led to hundreds of youth making commitments for Jesus. I invite you to partner with us this year by praying for our camp season and helping to send kids you know to a week of camp!
