Happy Happy Thursday to everyone! Today’s blog is going to
be about my home away from home, and my happy place, Campus by the Sea.
For those of you that do not know
about Campus by the Sea (CBS), it is a year round Intervarsity Camp located on
Catalina Island off the coast of Long Beach. It is located in a quiet, secluded
cove near Avalon, California. Their goal is to invite guests to step away from
the busyness of life and experience God’s rest. I was so fortunate to be able to
work there last summer and I’m going to tell you a little bit about my
experience.
Birds eye view of the cove
Last year,
only 6 hours after graduating high school I boarded a boat to Catalina Island
and began a summer that I would never forget. During the summer, Campus by the
Sea hosts family camp that lasts 6 weeks. Families from all over the United
States come to CBS to get closer to God, grow as a family, swim, snorkel, hike,
and get to know other people. Last summer was a life changing summer for me for
four reasons: I got to experience God’s love in a new way, it was my first time
living somewhere without my parents, I built relationships with people that I
love so much, and I got to live ON the beach. What more could I ask for?
Now do you understand why I love this place?
I love them
At Campus
by the Sea, there are three different summer volunteer opportunities available:
Kitchen, Crew, and Program. I was the opportunity to be a part of Crew! Crew is
in charge of keeping camp clean, doing chores around camp, and keeping
people safe down at the beach. My daily routine consisted of doing morning
chores, bringing in boxes of groceries from Avalon, cleaning the bathrooms,
taking out the trash, and lifeguarding. I am not going to lie, being on crew was
hard sometimes. The days were very long, and doing chores all day gets boring.
Although it wasn’t the ideal job, it helped me reflect on the reason why I was
there: TO SERVE! Since I was unable to call home, I would write letters to my
family. In one of my letters I said, “I just remember that I am serving people,
and that’s how I would get through my days, and I LOVE the people”. This job required putting others
before myself and spread God’s love through serving. Although there were three
different areas at camp to work, we still all had the common goal of serving
others. Each job is equally as important as the next one. Although I was there
to bless people, I ended up being blessed myself.
Me and my girls!
After a long day of work, standing on dry ice for a quick photo is necessary.
One of the
most unique things about working at a summer camp is living in community with
so many different people. It is such a great opportunity to get to know
everyone and learn from one another. The CBS staff truly impresses me, everyone
has a heart to serve and that’s what makes this group so special. There are
times when you miss your family but there is always someone there for you when
you need to talk. People are constantly encouraging you to keep moving.
Throughout my life, the only Christian community I have really been apart of was
my church group. It was nice to actually live with people who are living their life
the same way I am. When I am on the mainland, it is hard to find encouragement
because there are many people who believe something different things. At my
school, you are pushed into this melting pot of non-believers. Don’t get me
wrong, there are Christians at my school but it’s hard to find them. When I went
to Campus by the Sea, I was (for the first time) completely surrounded by a
Christian community for a long period of time. I had the opportunity to relate
with people on a completely different level, and for that I am thankful for.
This was taken after a shore line hike to Avalon!
My five mile hike to avalon
I am excited
to announce that I will be returning to Campus by the Sea this summer to be a
part of program staff. I will be spending my summer teaching kids about Jesus, building relationships kids, and spreading God's love. Word cannot describe how excited I am
to see how God is going to work in each person this summer. I am so grateful to
be able to return to Campus by the Sea and be a part of such an amazing staff.
If I know anything about this summer it is that GOD IS GOING TO MOVE!!
A gnarly swimsuit tan!
When I am on the island this summer I will be posting hopefully on a weekly basis. So keep an eye out for updates of my time at Campus by the Sea. COMING MID JUNE!
