Some summers are fun. Some summers are memorable. But some summers quietly yet unmistakably change the trajectory of a life.
For Nathan Carrigg—better known around Camp Lakeview as “Baja”—serving on summer staff wasn’t just a seasonal job. It became a calling that deepened his faith, reshaped his future, and set him on a new vocational path, one deeply rooted in ministry.
From Junior Counselor to Life-Changing “Yes”
Nathan’s journey with Lakeview didn’t begin as a camper. In fact, he never even attended summer camp growing up (although he did participate in Outdoor Ed during middle school). But his first weeklong experience came in 2023, when a friend encouraged him to become a Junior Counselor.
“Two weeks away from home felt like a lot,” Nathan recalled. “I wasn’t even sure I liked kids,” he laughed. But he went—and something clicked.
That first summer opened the door to meaningful friendships, spiritual growth, and a sense of belonging Nathan hadn’t experienced anywhere else. When 2024 rolled around, he signed up to be Junior Counselor again—this time committing to more weeks and multiple camp cycles.
As meaningful as that experience was, Nathan already had his life “planned.” He was preparing to start a sheet metal apprenticeship and was working full-time in a factory in Rushville, Indiana. Camp, as much as he loved it, felt like something he’d have to leave behind.
But God wasn’t finished yet.
An Overwhelming Calling
When Nathan was invited to return as a full summer staff counselor, he said no—at least at first. The timing didn’t make sense. The logistics didn’t work. His union representative even told him it was impossible.
That answer crushed him.
“The only thing I’ve ever done in my life that made me feel genuinely fulfilled was teaching kids about God,” Nathan said. “I liked working with my hands—but I wasn’t fulfilled in my apprenticeship.”
For weeks, that sense of unfinished calling wouldn’t let go. Nathan prayed—often and persistently—asking God for direction. Eventually, the answer became clear.
“I came home from work one day and told myself, ‘I don’t know what it’s going to take, but I’m going to work at camp this summer.’” Early in the new year, Nathan made a leap of faith: he took steps to quit his factory job and committed to serving at Lakeview on summer staff, trusting God with whatever came next.
A Summer of Courage, Growth, and Impact
That summer, Nathan served as a counselor at Camp Lakeview, pouring into the lives of dozens of campers. What stood out most to him wasn’t just the fun—it was the moments when faith came alive.
Cabin devotions became sacred spaces where campers leaned in, asked questions, and engaged deeply with God’s Word. “Seeing a whole cabin engaged—asking questions, really thinking—that’s what I’m there for,” Nathan said. “All the rest is extra.”
One of Nathan’s biggest personal growth moments came during evening campfires. Public speaking had always made him nervous. But that summer, he ended up leading six campfires—double what most counselors experience. “People came up afterward crying, telling me my prayer moved them,” he said. “God made it work—times ten.”
A New Direction
Today, Nathan’s life looks very different than it did at the start of last year. He’s now a student at Concordia University Wisconsin, pursuing a degree as a Director of Church Ministries (DCM)—the very role where he hopes to serve long-term.
“If you’d told me in January that I’d be a college student and hopefully working again as a summer staffer at Lakeview, I would’ve been shocked,” he said. “Excited, but shocked. The blessings are countless.”
A Word to Future Summer Staff
Nathan doesn’t sugarcoat the decision to serve on summer staff—it’s a commitment. But he believes it’s worth it. “Think about what you’d be doing instead,” he said. “You could spend the best summer of your life outdoors, teaching kids about God, meeting people you’ll love forever—and leaving fulfilled and overjoyed. No other summer job or vacation can compare.”
For Nathan, Lakeview wasn’t just a summer. It was obedience. It was purpose. And it was the beginning of a calling that continues to unfold.