(Smokey on the left, Delaynie on the right.)
Sometimes, God’s direction becomes clear all at once. Other times, it takes a few unexpected turns.
For Lakeview Ministries’ newest program interns, Delaynie Maschino and Rebecca “Smokey” Loman, the journey to camp ministry has looked a little different for each. But both have discovered something important along the way: you find joy, purpose, and plenty of room to grow when you answer the call to serve.
This year, Lakeview is excited to welcome Delaynie to the ministry — and to welcome Smokey back for another year of serving, learning, and growing at camp.
Delaynie: Finding Her Niche in Serving Others
After three years studying to become an ultrasound technician, Delaynie began to wonder if that was the right path. Working at a summer camp provided the answer. “I really felt like I found my niche,” Delaynie said. “I fell in love with ministry and enjoyed having a direct impact on the people I was serving.”
That realization eventually led her to begin pursuing a degree in ministry leadership through Grace College. But the camp bug had bit hard, and she knew she wanted to continue serving in camp ministry while she pursued her degree.
“I did quite a bit of praying,” she said. “God has always provided me with a job, and I just kept asking, ‘What’s the next step?’” When a family member sent her the posting for Lakeview’s program intern position, Delaynie updated and uploaded her résumé that same evening.
Now, just weeks into her Lakeview experience, God is already stretching Delaynie in new ways — including writing and leading campfire devotions, something she once would have considered intimidating.
She has also discovered something she especially values about Lakeview: its connection to the surrounding community. “My heart is with people local to me,” Delaynie said. “I love being able to let people come in and experience camp in different ways.”
Welcome Back, Smokey!
(Smokey playing guitar at Camp Luther, WI.)
For Rebecca “Smokey” Loman, this year represents both a homecoming and another step forward. She first heard about Lakeview as a high school student from friends who had served on junior staff. She admits she wasn’t immediately sold on the idea, but she went ahead and applied for the junior staff role anyway.
That first experience eventually grew into something much deeper. After stepping away from college, Smokey found herself repeatedly feeling drawn back toward camp. “I kept feeling a pull to come back to camp,” she said. “I wanted to figure out if this was where God was calling me. Do I love camp ministry year-round, or is it just summer camp?”
The answer has become increasingly clear. “Here I am, loving it!” she said.
After serving at Lakeview and spending this past summer gaining another perspective on ministry at Camp Luther in Wisconsin, Smokey is back at Lakeview and exploring camp ministry as a full-time career.
This year, she hopes to continue developing her leadership skills while building confidence in the person God has called her to be.
“The best part is learning everything about camp ministry and how Lakeview does it,” Smokey said. “You start out co-leading, and then you start doing things on your own. The amount of growth you make in a year is incredible.”
Serving, Growing, and Finding New Focus
Spend a few minutes talking with Delaynie and Smokey, and a common theme quickly surfaces: camp ministry changes the people serving just as much as it impacts the people being served.
For Delaynie, one of the greatest rewards is getting to know guests while leading activities and programs. “You get to talk to people and pour into them,” she said. “They pour into me, too. Relationship building at camp is really cool. There’s nothing like it.”
Smokey sees that same growth through the sheer variety of experiences that come with serving at camp. One day might involve a school group or family weekend; another could include horseback riding, landscaping, leading games or songs, or a completely unexpected challenge.
“You’re thrown into so many different responsibilities as a program intern,” she said. “Your days are always different.”
And through all of it, both women are learning to rely on God — during the exciting moments, the long days, and everything in between.
For anyone considering a similar experience, Smokey’s advice is simple: “Do it. You will grow in your faith and discover so many different experiences you won’t find anywhere else,” she said. “At the end of the year, you’ll look back and see why it was all worth it.”
Delaynie agrees that camp ministry requires flexibility, hard work, and a willingness to lean on God. But the reward makes it worthwhile. “When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like you’re working,” she said.
Lakeview Ministries is grateful to have two women who love what they do, love serving others, and are eager to see where God leads them next.
Welcome to Lakeview, Delaynie — and welcome back, Smokey. We’re glad you’re here!
