Our ministry at Camp Whitesand doesn’t just wait for campers to arrive; we go out to find them.
We took our portable rock wall to a community fair in Bigger, Saskatchewan, where the local church raffled off two free weeks at camp. A family won and was so excited that they wanted to send their son, too. They said, “We’re all coming to family camp next year. We need this in our lives.”
That’s how it starts: by opening a door.
When our 228 campers arrived throughout the summer, we worked hard to create a nurturing environment grounded in our theme: “Rooted and Grounded in Christ.”
We talked about how, for a tree to be strong, it must put down deep roots through personal prayer and devotion. But just as important is the soil. I told our youth that the soil is the environment they put themselves in—the friends they choose, the media they consume. At summer camp, we strive to be that “healthy soil.”
That care was felt everywhere, especially in our kitchen. Ms. Wendy led the way for the first few weeks, creating a warm and welcoming space where others, such as pastors’ wives, church members, and staff, could join the cooking experience. Together, everyone prepared incredibly flavorful cultural dishes that introduced campers to new tastes and traditions.
Mrs. Lindsay further transformed the dining hall experience during the final two weeks. Her food was so exceptional that it was described as “restaurant level.” Campers enjoyed dishes like a flavorful Ginger “Beef,” a perfectly made Alfredo, and an exciting Nigerian dish that brought bold new flavours to the camp menu. She also introduced a prize bin to reward the youth who helped with their kitchen shifts. Together, Ms. Wendy and Mrs. Lindsay provided far more than meals; they created an atmosphere of joy, care, and community.
While the campers are our focus, our ministry must also be for our 32 young adult staff.
We place them in positions where they can flourish, with incredible results. We had a young staff member, Tristan, who had deep questions about God, faith, and the relevance of being part of a church community. But over the summer, his roots began to heal in this positive soil. When summer camp ended, he cried and told my wife, “Auntie, I’m gonna come to church. I’m gonna see you at church.”
Each summer, our camp staff not only pour into the lives of campers but are deeply impacted themselves. One staff member who had once been quiet and disengaged experienced a complete transformation, stepping into leadership as a cabin leader and even taking the stage to lead music. A parent later said, “The person I got back is vibrant and alive. I got my child back.” Each year, camp ministries don’t just change campers’ lives; they shape, inspire, and renew the hearts of the staff who serve.
Seeing our young staff grow into leaders reminds me of Ellen White‘s words: “With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world!”
This spiritual vitality radiates outward, creating an energy that leads campers to make their own decisions:
- At Junior Camp, we had 15 baptism decisions. We referred 11 back to their home pastors for more study; four were baptized here at camp.
- At Youth Camp, we had seven baptism decisions. Three were baptized , and five more requested further studies. One of the most powerful stories was that of a girl from a different denomination. She approached my wife and me and said, “I must be baptized today.” After a tearful call during which her parents gave their blessing, she was baptized that afternoon. Now, her family brings her to one of our local churches to worship on Sabbath mornings.
The impact is so clear that it even changes the minds of those who usually don’t enjoy camping.
Pastor Shaun’s wife, a teacher in our conference, had never been one to enjoy the camp experience. She visited with my wife during her stay and shared, “I wouldn’t have sent my kids to camp. I am not one for camping.” But after experiencing Whitesand for herself and seeing how we do things, she said, “I would send my kids to camp here, and I will be encouraging my class kids to go to summer camp.”
When I see these stories unfold, I am humbled.
We are not perfect, but we strive yearly to create the best environment for young people to grow closer to Jesus. It’s like the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”
We provide the soil; God provides the harvest.
By Pastor Oscar Halvorson, Youth Director, with Anika Janzen, Assistant Youth Director