Anna's Story

The summer after 9th grade, I went to camp with two friends who kinda hated it.  We did a week as campers, followed by a week of helping out in the canteen and dining hall to pay for our registration.  By the time we went home, I knew for sure that they'd never go back...and that I'd never be the same!  I returned the next summer and continued to fall in love with not just camp, but with JESUS. 

It wasn’t new to me.  I grew up in church.  Actually, I grew up in churchES.  My parents were married but were active members of different denominations.  I did Sunday school, VBS, confirmation classes, prayer breakfasts, CROP Walk, Rally Sunday, memory verses, song leading - all of it.  By high school, I was playing piano at several other churches and attending youth group at yet another.  It was just what we did.

But at camp, it MATTERED.  Jesus mattered.  The Bible mattered.  At camp, my "head knowledge" became "heart knowledge" and my faith became my own.  

During camp work weeks, I began helping with family groups.  I went on to spend my college summers on camp staff and made sure to write at least two weeks of camp into my contract when I got a job as a youth minister.  I even convinced my husband to do an 18-month internship at camp just after getting married.  I have had the privilege of serving Christ in all kinds of roles through seven organizations on ten campuses in three states.  Doing this, I learned volumes about who God is and who He’s calling me to be.  

I also learned that summer camp curriculum can be…awkward, to say the least.  I spent hours rewriting small group sessions and coming up with campfire talks.  I stayed up late working on object lessons and workshop activities.  I got really good at pulling discussion questions out of thin air and Bible verses from somewhere deep within.  

While I am eternally grateful (literally) for the way I grew during this chapter, it wasn’t sustainable.  I got burnt out as a counselor and speaker.  I felt like I wasn’t paying enough attention to my campers during down times.  Plus, campers were confused when talking with their friends, since all of the small group leaders were doing different things!  

I began officially writing curriculum as my internship project and it’s been an honor and a joy to dance with the Holy Spirit through the Word in this way for the last decade+.  Through God’s constant provision and in His perfect timing, I launched Camp315 in 2022.    

I am so excited to partner with camps to provide solid curriculum resources that save time and energy for staff and volunteers so they can be more present to campers and more open to what Jesus is up to.  

Camp315 programs don’t require you to change what’s already awesome about your camp and can be used by any sized group in any environment.  Camp315 lessons don’t need lots of props or technology (but can totally be enhanced by it, if you’re into that sort of thing) and are woven through with fun themes that creative camp leadership can go big with or keep totally simple.  

I fully believe that God is moving and working in mighty ways through your ministry.  I also know that having simple-to-use, engaging curriculum can give your staff confidence and direction, making it easier for kids to encounter Christ in real and life-changing ways.    

If you’re full-time staff, overwhelmed by daily duties and tired of re-writing VBS programs to try to fit a summer camp setting, let's talk.

If you’re the volunteer director of a one-week session who doesn’t quite know where to start, let me help.

If nothing else, know that you are making a difference for kids and the Kingdom.

I’m praying for you.  

Love,

Anna