60 Best Things About Camp
Because One or Two Just Wouldn’t Cut It
What makes Lakeview Ministries so special? After 60 summers of campfires, cannonballs, and Christ-centered moments, we thought it was time to try to name the best things about camp. We couldn’t stop at just a few—so here’s our list of 60 of the very best things about Lakeview. How many do you recognize?
- No phones. No distractions. Just real connection.
- Singing at the top of your lungs at campfire devotions.
- The sacred silence before the first note of “The Benediction Song.”
- No-hands spaghetti. (Why use a fork when you have a face?)
- Driving down the hill to get to camp.
- Getting mail from Grandma…even if she wrote it before you left.
- Grown-ups being silly for the sake of the Gospel.
- Camp names that stick for life. (Yes, even “Broha.”)
- Your cabin cheering for you like you’re in the Olympics.
- Sunsets over Lutheran Lake.
- “I never thought I’d try that” moments.
- Tie-dye shirts that never really fade.
- Bunk beds that squeak. Laughter that echoes through the night.
- Meeting your best friend on day 2.
- Waking up to the sound of worship songs.
- Airhead Extremes being FLUNG at canteen time.
- Morning devotions with dew on the grass.
- Campers from 20 different states—and everyone belongs.
- The first time you pray out loud.
- Water Olympics chaos.
- Seeing a shooting star during nighttime devotions.
- Staffers who remember your name.
- Holding hands in prayer with people you just met.
- Night hikes that make you whisper.
- Skits that make your stomach hurt from laughing.
- S’mores science: golden brown > charred black.
- Campers crying because they don’t want the week to end.
- That one counselor who believed in you.
- The sound of the bell calling you to dinner.
- Campers becoming staffers. Staffers becoming leaders in the church.
- The deep breath you take when you first arrive at camp.
- Lifelong friendships that started in the cabin.
- Riding a horse even though you were scared.
- Gazing out across the horse pasture in early morning quiet.
- Playing games in the pouring rain.
- Storytime that turns into giggle time.
- The trust fall that actually worked.
- Winning mud pit bragging rights.
- Hearing someone say, “This is holy ground.”
- Fireflies that remind you of God’s amazing design throughout creation.
- Saying “see you next summer” with a lump in your throat.
- Crazy hair day… and every day is kinda crazy.
- Campers-turned-counselors-turned-husband-and-wife.
- Staff weddings where the reception is half camp songs.
- Family traditions that span generations.
- Grandma was a camper. Dad was a counselor. Now it’s your turn.
- Camp dances with 100% effort and 0% embarrassment.
- Watching the stars from your village cluster.
- Hearing “I never knew following Jesus could be like this.”
- Campers praying for each other.
- The bonfire that crackles just as the Spirit moves.
- The invisible bond of a shared cabin for the week.
- Zip line screams followed by victory poses.
- Rainy days turned into the best memories.
- Leading worship for the first time—and not wanting it to end.
- Junior Staff who inspire you to serve, too.
- Staff who model faith and fun, hand-in-hand.
- Campers who return home changed.
- The moment you realize: I want to come back.
- A Savior who meets us here—year after year after year.
Camp at Lakeview is 60 years young, and still going strong. Thank you for being part of the story—and here’s to 60 more.
What would you add to the list?