WCC Students Lead Camp Lakewood Staff, Summer 2024

WCC is in its fifth year of partnership with Camp Lakewood in Wolcottville, Ind., supporting with campers and leaders for its faith-based summer programming. For the week of June 9^th, 25 of the 32 staff were made up of WCC middle and high school students, serving as leaders in various capacities. There were 88 total campers June 9-14, six of which were from WCC in grades 3-6.

This year’s students serving as staff increased from the 22 serving during the week last year, demonstrating how WCC students are coming forward to serve by leading the next generation. “This was certainly a success story from our summer,” said Ryan Langeland, Pastor of Children and Student Ministries. “We are slowly getting more campers from WCC to participate, but a huge majority of staff for the week were from Student Ministries at WCC. Most of our leaders are multi-year participants, so they keep getting better. They provide amazing leadership that the experience yields, and these leaders are gifted in leading and working with our young campers.”

Camp Lakewood’s opportunity to incorporate both WCC’s Sonlight kids and Student Ministries makes it a win-win for the church. While the older students were provided leadership experience, the younger campers experienced a fantastic week learning about God. Many made decisions for Christ because of the week’s activities.

“I think it’s important for parents to understand that although we recruit our leaders from Student Ministries, they should not be exempt from participating,” Ryan added, in relation to Camp Lakewood’s volunteer staff. For next summer, WCC looks forward to continue its leadership at Camp Lakewood, “…sharing the hope of the Gospel.”