By: Sara Gunter, Executive Director of Waycross
Core to the work and ministry of summer camps is fostering belonging. Camp professionals and summer camp counselors are experts at creating community, making connections, and building relationships. We know how fundamentally important it to know and be known, to feel a deep and true sense of belonging in a place, within a community. The friendships formed as a camper and on camp staff at summer camp are lasting, and lifelong. Many clergy speak about first hearing a call for ordained ministry while at camp. An appreciation and respect for nature are nurtured at camps. Play, singing, worship, prayer, small groups, laughter, hard questions, and deep truths can all be found at any given moment while at camp.
I am honored to serve the Diocese of Indianapolis as the Executive Director at Waycross Camp and Conference Center. I am almost giddy with anticipation of summer camp starting in just a few short weeks. Waycross will be filled with the sounds and energy of kids, the passion and commitment of camp staff. It’s the best time of the year for camp folk.
AND, summer camp is not the only way we are working to foster belonging at Waycross. I have been eager to share the programming Waycross is offering this year beyond summer camp. Summer camp and serving youth and young adults will always be central to the mission and ministry at Waycross. My hope, though, is that Waycross will become a formation center for everyone in the Diocese of Indianapolis.
We are offering several opportunities for adults to come and spend a night or more at Waycross on retreat. At these retreats, one will also find play, song, worship, prayer, small groups, and laughter. At these retreats a space will be provided to wrestle with hard questions and seek deep truths within community.
I hope you will join us at one or more of these events and find a home-away-from-home at Waycross. In particular I want to highlight our Classic Camp, Artists & Writers Retreat, and Advent Retreat.
- Classic Camp (July 7-10) – A summer camp experience for campers 65 and older! We’ll offer “classic” camp activities like campfires & singing & s’mores, hiking & canoeing & fishing, arts & crafts, swimming, and so much more! We might just go wine tasting and play bingo, too! We’ll have a camp chaplain and a team to offer conversation and programming specifically about aging and retirement, and life in the world as “classic” adults.
- Artists & Writers Retreat (November 22-24) – Come spend a weekend at Waycross to work on new or in-progress projects. Bring supplies and set up throughout our campus, spending days working independently or with others, however is most fruitful for your creative process. In the evenings, there will be space for sharing, collaborating, and asking for feedback.
- Advent Retreat (December 13-14) – This one-night retreat is for adults to come and find space for respite and reflection during Advent. Prayer stations will be set up throughout Waycross’ campus, the labyrinth will be available, and we will have a Taize-style worship service on Friday evening. Join us to enjoy the quite of Waycross in the winter!
You can find more information about what is coming up on our website.
