As part of OUTLOOK’s recent photo/essay contest, Mid-America youth (ages 10-16) were asked to describe how a past camp experience impacted their lives. Participants were also asked to submit up to three photos to accompany their essays. The grand prize: a free week at any Mid-America Union-sponsored camp. The first, second and third place winners were also published in the May 2014 issue of OUTLOOK.
The winners, honorable mentions and other entries are featured below. Click the “next” or “previous” buttons to navigate between entries.
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Karis Lyons
The first time I went to camp, I didn’t want my parents to leave. They introduced me to some of their friends that live there that I could go to if I felt like I needed someone I already knew. I had fun that year. But the next year was the best year I ever had. I had asked my friend, Lauren, to come. I think she invited a friend as well. We had lots of fun doing lots of the activities. I was the first one to get over the ledge on the climbing wall at North Star Camp.
When Saturday came I was excited because my family was coming. My dad, mom, brother and even my grandmother and aunts and one uncle came. My brother, John, and I were going to get baptized by my dad! We were baptized in a lake; the water was cold. My brother was baptized first, then me. We had gotten a few gifts before we were baptized. John and I had people write a little letter to us in our special books. Then, my family had to leave, so we said good-bye and they left. My friends and lots of other people congratulated me. Then we all went to our cabins.
The next day we all said good-bye. I found out later that my brother and I and a few other kids had encouraged my counselor to be baptized herself. I was really happy for her, and I was really happy about making that decision with my brother. That was either one or two years ago. I am going to turn 11 and my brother is 18 now. We are really happy. All the people that know us are happy for us, too. I’ve been going to camp ever since and I can’t wait to go this year!
