Lessons I Learned From Being a CYC Staff Member

Being a CYC camper and then a staff member have been exciting and meaningful experiences. Here are some spiritual lessons these experiences taught me. 

In 2015, I had the opportunity to attend the COGWA teen camp in the Philippines for the first time. Then, in 2017, I was given another chance to be a camper. I learned meaningful lessons from these camp experiences, both physically and spiritually. 

These lessons inspired me to eventually apply to be a staff member, where I learned more important lessons. 

I’d like to share with you some of the lessons I learned from these opportunities. 

Mindset of serving  

When I was a camper in 2015, one thing that stood out to me was how diligently the staff members served. 

They worked hard, putting their whole effort into ensuring that all the campers enjoyed the activities and were safe. Watching their example helped solidify in my mind that serving is the Christian way of life. 

I would go on to practice this myself when I became a staff member. Serving in love and kindness characterizes how the camp staff members are to carry out their responsibilities.

I also had to learn that being a staff member does not mean that I become more important than the campers. Instead, I tried to regard them as more important through how I treated and served them. 

I learned that Christ also said He came not to be served but to serve (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). As Christians, we know how important this is and strive to follow His example. We are to do as He did—serve other people, especially those of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10). 

Our hope is that our service will inspire the campers to do the same, both now and when they themselves have the opportunity to serve as staff later. We are all learning to fulfill Paul’s words in Galatians 5:13—we ought to “serve one another humbly in love” (New International Version).

Setting a good example

One of the CYC staff audio manuals mentioned that campers look up to the staff even after camp ends. I felt that way when I was still a camper. 

I looked up to my counselors and to the staff as role models, just like my parents. Their examples have impacted my life in many ways. Now that I am a young adult in the Church, I need to take on the same responsibility—to set a good example for younger people. 

As this world is getting darker, the younger generation in the Church needs to see good examples. Good examples can motivate and inspire those who see them. 

In his letter to Timothy, Paul wrote, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Being an example to those who look up to us is one of the ways we can be the light that Christ spoke of in Matthew 5:16. 

For a week, the staff and campers stay together in the same area and do nearly everything together. During casual interactions, the staff members demonstrate their caring attitude and build strong bonds with the campers. A caring attitude is a vitally important part of God’s way of life. This was what I learned from my first experience as a staff member. 

Love is the foundation 

Love is the basis of everything I learned as a CYC staff member. A Christian is called to do good works, but those works must be rooted in love. Because we love God, we serve, care for others and actively do good. 

This reminds me of the encouragement I once heard in a sermon: “What if your salvation depended on your relationship with every child and young person in the congregation? How would you do?”

If you’re past the camper stage and your schedule allows, consider applying to be a CYC staff member. You may be surprised by how deeply rewarding it is for your Christian journey.

Bellinda Simanjuntak is a member of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association in Indonesia.