Let’s help young adults find opportunities for Lutheran Outdoor Ministries
Like many partner organizations throughout the ELCA, participants active in Women of the ELCA have supported ELCA Outdoors Ministries by lifting up camping opportunities for young adults across the church. Read the post below and share ways you might be able to help attract more staff for this summer and beyond!
by Morgan Lee Barton
Jennie White grew up attending Environmental Education Programs at Lutheran Memorial Camp with Trinity Lutheran School in Marysville. Once she was old enough to serve on summer staff, Jennie knew it was the perfect job since she loves kids and working with young adults.
Jennie says her experience on summer staff helped her to grow in confidence and leadership skills. She says, “this job really is a job that I would consider anyone doing because you learn so many life skills and things that can apply to any job: communication, teamwork, those are all things that we do at any job.”
“I find camp to be a great place where kids can just ask questions and see that faith is connected to everyday life and everything we do,” Jennie says, “I think sometimes we get into the mindset that we can’t ask questions and that God is only in churches and the buildings.” But being at camp helps us to realize that God is not just in the church building.
Jennie says an important part of camp was “Having faith be a part of the everyday conversations and realizing how important faith was to me.” She also enjoys helping others see those connections and helping them journey through their faith.
Naturally, these experiences led Jennie into seminary and ordained ministry. She says, “I wouldn’t be in seminary if it weren’t for camp. I think it’s a great place for discernment – finding where God is calling you.”
During Jennie’s time at seminary, she has continued to volunteer at LMC – from cleaning cabins to leading songs. She says, “I am a person who thinks that if you truly believe in something and love something, you should invest in it. That’s exactly why I keep coming back. I love this place. It has been a place of discernment for me and a place of respite, and I want to invest and keep that going for others as well.”
Jennie served on the Summer Staff of Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Ohio 2017-2019 and was a year-round staff member 2018-2019. Now, she is attending Trinity Lutheran Seminary.
The Lutheran Camps throughout the ELCA – Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (LOM) – need us to help talk with people we know who might be interested in working at an LOM camp this summer. Here’s a great tool you can suggest to make it easy for them to find great Lutheran camps that are still looking for summer staff.
This article first appeared in the Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Ohio (LOMO) Fireside News.
Photo of Jenny used with permission.