Mission and Milestones: Camp Edition

Adventist summer camps have played a significant role in nurturing spiritual growth and fostering community among young people. This year is significant because it marks the 100th anniversary of Seventh-day Adventist Camp Ministries — a milestone that reflects generations of discipleship, leadership development and evangelistic outreach. 

Across the Pacific Northwest, camps including Alaska Camps, Big Lake Youth Camp, Camp Ida-Haven, Camp MiVoden, Camp Paxson and Sunset Lake Camp continue this legacy, offering sacred spaces where faith is strengthened amid the region’s natural beauty.

Spiritual Growth and Discipleship

At the heart of church mission is the desire to lead individuals into a personal relationship with Christ. Summer camps provide a unique spiritual environment where youth, free from everyday distractions, can focus on faith, prayer and reflection. 

Through engaging worship, daily devotions and Bible study sessions, campers are encouraged to explore their spiritual journey and discover God’s purpose for their lives — on their own two feet. All the while, they are having the time of their life, learning important life skills and making unforgettable memories.

Outreach and Evangelism

Summer camps serve as powerful tools for outreach and evangelism. They provide welcoming environments for young people who may not be familiar with the Adventist Church or Christianity. Through inclusive activities and relational ministry, camps break down barriers and foster open dialogue about faith, leading many to baptism.

One lady, for example, pulled into Big Lake to drop off her grandson and asked the director about scheduling her grandson's baptism. After making arrangements, she shared how she had been a camper herself and though all her friends had been baptized, she had missed the opportunity. She asked if it was possible to prepare to be baptized, too. On a sunny day, a few weeks later, grandson and grandmother were baptized together. 

Recently, in a local church, a mother approached Les Zollbrecht, Big Lake director. She shared how her son wanted to be baptized at camp. After developing a plan for his baptism and reflecting on how she hadn't been baptized, she asked, "Would you baptize me as well?" This mother-son baptism is planned for this coming summer. 

Stories like these illustrate how God is working dynamically summer after summer. While each camp has its own context and community, the fruit of ministry is evident throughout the region as individuals and families are drawn into deeper relationships with Him. 

2025 NPUC Summer Camp Data

• Young adult staff and volunteers: 539 
• Youth campers: 2,981
• Family campers: 1,648
• Decisions for Christ: 1,735
• Baptisms: 161

Leadership and Community

One of the core objectives of Adventist summer camps is to cultivate leadership among our young people. Staff are encouraged to develop responsibility, teamwork and initiative through a variety of ways, such as leading worship, organizing group activities and assisting with camp operations. 

Staff training programs emphasize servant leadership — teaching young adults to lead by example, care for others and model Christ-like character. At camp, young adult staff learn to share their story, deliver a gospel presentation followed by an invitation to accept Jesus' gift of salvation and to walk with Him. This skill alone helps the church move forward long after summer staff move on from their camp experience.

Many former campers become counselors, directors and leaders within their local churches, extending the influence of camp experiences far beyond the summer months. The sense of camaraderie and shared purpose fostered at camp strengthens the Adventist community, forging lifelong friendships and mentoring relationships that support spiritual and personal growth.

As we celebrate 100 years of camp ministries, consider the profound trajectory of impact. Multitudes of children accept Jesus for the first time and get baptized. Youth in their topsy-turvy adolescent years see positive collegiate Christian role models helping them stay the course with Jesus. 

Young adult staff experience the blessings of service and missional living, causing many of them to rethink their careers. At camp, God calls many of them to be teachers, pastors or to use their degrees in communication, accounting, business management, human resources and more to work for the church. 

Summer camps are quite indispensable in fulfilling our mission. They are regenerating faith and leadership summer by summer, and they are vital to keeping the church moving forward. 

As we reflect on a century of camp ministries, the invitation is simple and timely: Be part of what God is continuing to do. Pray for our campers, staff and directors as they prepare for another summer of life-changing ministry. Consider sending a child or youth to camp, encouraging a young adult to serve on staff or supporting camp ministries financially through your local church or conference. 

Together, we can ensure that these sacred spaces remain places where faith is awakened, leaders are formed and lives are changed for generations to come. Camp is moving the church forward.