For over six decades, Campformation has been a cornerstone of faith development for 6th–12th grade youth, offering a unique opportunity to grow in their relationship with God in the great outdoors. Each year, dozens of young people come together to explore their faith, build lasting friendships, and create memories that last a lifetime.
What makes Campformation so special is not just its beautiful outdoor setting, but the deep, lasting connections that are formed between campers, counselors, and leaders. Past campers often return as counselors, adult leaders, youth ministers, and even pastors, continuing the cycle of faith and community that makes this program so meaningful. Together, they provide a positive and faith-filled experience that continues to inspire the next generation.
Campformation: Stories from the Campers
Campformation is not just a summer camp — it’s a place where lifelong memories are made. Here are a few stories from this summer’s campers who reflect on their experiences at Campformation and how it has shaped their faith journey.
Hunter – A Gap Camper’s Reflection
Hunter, a 15-year-old sophomore in high school, just finished his fourth summer at Campformation. As a “gap camper,” he’s now transitioning from being a regular camper to a future youth counselor. While he enjoys the small, close-knit youth group at his home church, Hunter found Campformation’s larger gathering a refreshing change. The wider community of campers helped him gain a broader picture of God’s people and a new perspective on his faith.
One of Hunter’s favorite parts of camp was worship, especially the music and dancing shared with friends old and new. “It’s the worship and the energy of singing together in a large group that really moves me,” he shared. This summer, a meaningful conversation with a peer counselor gave Hunter clarity on some personal struggles, reaffirming for him that the Holy Spirit was present and active in his life.
Looking ahead, Hunter believes the feeling of singing and dancing in joyful connection with others is something he’ll carry with him forever.
Annie – A New Perspective on Faith
Annie, a 14-year-old ninth grader, attended her second summer at Campformation this year. Although she’s highly active in her home congregation’s youth group, Campformation gave her an expanded faith experience that enriched her understanding in new ways.
Through conversations with campers from different cities and backgrounds, Annie gained new insight into what it means to be part of the Church in the world. She especially loved the lively worship in the Tabernacle, where music and games helped create a joyful and inclusive atmosphere.
Beyond worship, Annie cherishes the friendships she’s formed through camp. She regularly stays in touch with her camp friends and looks forward to reuniting with them each summer. “The friendships I’ve made at Campformation have stayed with me long after camp ends,” she said. “I can’t wait to see everyone again next year.”
Stella – Bravery, Faith, and First-Time Joy
Stella, from Phoenix, Arizona, is 11 years old and is going into 6th grade. This summer marked her very first time at Campformation, and her very first overnight camp experience away from home.
While Stella enjoys Sunday school at her church, she loved the freedom and independence Campformation gave her. She was able to choose her own afternoon learning and activity schedule, which made the experience feel even more personalized and exciting. Her favorite activities included the zip line, the low ropes course for team building, and an epic gel blaster game.
As Stella reflected on life-shaping things about camp, she noted she wants to read the bible more. Campformation gave her a new perspective on the stories and teaching in the bible, and she enjoyed diving deeper into scripture during the interactive Bible study time.
Although she was very nervous during the drive to camp and was anxious about saying goodbye to her family, the transition ended up being smooth and joyful. After a quick goodbye to her dad, she jumped straight into her first game of Mafia with her cabin and counselors—and never felt homesick once.
Most of all, Stella appreciated the deeper friendships she made during the week. She’s already looking forward to returning next summer, and she hopes other first-time campers will take the leap too.
Looking Forward: The Future of Campformation
As we celebrate over 60 years of faithful ministry, we look forward to the future of Campformation with hope and excitement. Each summer, more youth have the opportunity to experience the transforming power of community, worship, and faith in a beautiful outdoor setting.
We are blessed to have so many young people, like Hunter, Annie, and Stella, who are carrying the spirit of Campformation forward—into their churches, their schools, and their futures as leaders in faith.
If you’re a past camper, current camper, or someone who has supported the ministry of Campformation, we invite you to share your memories, photos, or reflections by emailing lbook@gsynod.org. We’d love to hear your story!