Servant Leaders

When I was asked to take over Camp Re-NEW-All, I knew that the Bishop and Troy (my two bosses) wanted camp to head in a new direction. The only guidance they gave me on this matter was that the camp needed to return to being more camper, and less staff focused.

At first, I wasn't sure how to approach this challenge. More campers were a must, less staff as well, but still maintaining a safe camper-staff ratio. But other than that, what could I do to change the physical attitude of my staff. Many of them came for great reasons, to rebuild their faith, reunite with their fellow Catholics, but nowhere in there was the campers.

Servant leaders.

That's what we needed to make this camp what it is supposed to be. We needed staff that were there 100% for the campers- that wanted to make this week the best week ever for the campers. And that's what I called them to do. Self-giving, selfless teenagers can be hard to find at times, but somehow in the past two weeks I have met over seventy of them scattered across my camp ground. They came in expecting their normal camp experience, and instead were told to give up themselves for a week, and focus on children they had never met before.

I have had adult staff who have been coming for camp for years mention their happiness over the fact that camp is returning to it's roots, that we are beginning to yet again, focus on who makes the camp worthwhile- our campers.

I can tell you that in the next couple years, Camp Re-NEW-All is going to produce some amazing leaders, who have been taught not to boss or to command, but to serve, to wash the feet of the groups they are in charge of. I think Pope Francis I would be proud of this small niche in the world, creating young Catholic leaders, that will someday be the Church leaders we need, and creating a safe haven for the children.

Pray for a third successful week at camp, and until next week-

Totus tuus,

LeAnn