James Williams, Camp Washington’s Summer Camp Program Director
Hello! I am James, Camp Washington’s Summer Camp Director. As with most people, I hold many other hats outside of work: brother of four, son, advocate, rock climber, friend, a partner, Episcopalian, and so on. One of the of these roles is “Young Adult.” So far, being a Young Adult has meant so many blessings for me – finding a new home in New Orleans, traveling to Spain or Iceland, building a future. It has also come with challenges: living faster than I ever thought possible, seeing bills stack up, fighting to be heard among older audiences, and more often than I’d like, living with a sense that I am doing this life alone. For better and for worse, we eventually become responsible for much more than ourselves: feeding a dog, supporting a precious child, addressing pains we’ve tucked away, and learning how we feel loved. All of this while we’re still VERY MUCH learning on the go. Overall, much of the Young Adult story feels like a new and ever-growing to-do list to establish oneself, and this time the answers are on you. Gone is that beautiful time as a kid where you get grace for breaking a vase or not feeling like going to school.
If you’re thinking “thanks for the reminder,” I don’t write without hope. Hope was one of Christ’s greatest gifts, and it’s camp’s ministry is to share it. The hope I have for you is the same I’ve been offered since the age of 12 – come away to camp, and camp is not a shallow hope.
In preparation for this article, I asked my staff, “what is it that Young Adults like yourself still get from camp?” Second year counselor Caroline said “having a place between school and home is really important, it’s somewhere to try new things and get out of the mundane of everyday! Camp is perfect to reach out and create community, but also to look inward and better oneself.” When else do you get the chance for newness, and when else do you get the chance to dwell not on your responsibilities, but your spirit?
In thinking about a young Adult Camp, Delaine, our Head Counselor this summer, said “When you reconnect with your old friends and reminisce over the years…. It can open pathways in those old friendships.” Delaine has been coming to camp for more than eight years, and as a former camper himself, he envisions a season where the connections of his life can come back around.
Camp’s amazing staff leave home for two to three months straight to live in cabins surrounded by bouncing children for 15+ hours a day, six days a week, with about an hour a day of phone use – and they love it. How much more could it do for you to come to our Young Adult Camp? Plus, you’ll be coming to this same place of abundance, minus the work!
Hope was one of Christ’s greatest gifts, and it’s camp’s ministry is to share it.
The truth of being a Young Adult is that we are accepting our job to pour out ourselves to the world; it’s our vocational invitation from Jesus himself. Young Adult Camp session honors that commitment, but also gives you a place where you are poured abundantly into, so you can depart rested and ready to give again. Whether we admit it or not, we are in some of the same places we were in adolescence: we can feel anxious being our full selves, feel personally (and spiritually) directionless, crave connection, and need someone to care and care for us. It isn’t the only balm in Gilead, but from my time at camp, I’ve seen Young Adults be nourished by being exactly who they were made to be, laying the pressure of the world down amongst friends, and getting a taste of that promised easy yoke and light burden.
I want to invite you to Camp Washington’s Young Adult Camp. I want to extend to you what is hopefully a lifeline, and an extension of what we know Christ to be – a call to practice love for self and others, and a reminder that you are loved. Come to camp this summer, and with rest, play, connection, silliness, competition, nostalgia, and care, we’ll find a new piece of ourselves.
Young Adult Camp is for ages 21-30 and runs from July 26-30. You can register at: https://campwashington.campbrainregistration.com/