This is why I do what I do...

Let me start off my saying that I LOVE my job! Are there days where I want nothing less than a double-shot of whiskey and a bullet to the forehead? For sure! And yet there are moments of reward that make it all worth it, much like tonight...

This past week we (Summit Grove Camp) hosted the 10th Anniversary week of "Camp Connect". This special program is run by the Baltimore County (MD) Department of Social Services, and is geared to bring children who have been separated into different foster homes back together for a week of camp! Such a great opportunity to express love and care to those who often go without!

Although a great group of kids, the majority of the population of this camp is from urban/metro-center backgrounds, often underprivileged and low-income. This creates the potential for them to be a somewhat high-maintenance group. Every year during Camp Connect my role consists of constant motion to make sure that everything is running smoothly and they are having a great week of camp. Lodging facilities, food service and meal times, excursions and transportation (days at the lake, trips to amusement parks, horseback riding, inner tubing, go-karting, etc), bonfires, swim times at the pool, icebreaker games, and a whole bunch more- all part of my week. I'm on the go just shy of 24/7 (little to no exaggeration).

Tonight, one of the campers came up to me, and our conversation went something like this:

Camper- "What's your name?"

Me- "I'm Matt"

Camper- "Matt come over here some people want to talk to you"

Me- "Ok" (thinking: what do they want now?)

We walk over and he introduces me

Camper- "His name is Matt"

Camper- "Matt we've been coming here alot of years, and every time we see you and you make everything happen. We realized that we never say thank you, so..."

Other Campers- "THANK YOU!"

I'll be honest, this made my night! These kids who typically don't think much past themselves thanked me for their week of camp and their past couple years of great camp experiences! Now, I cannot take the full credit for all of this, it is a team effort. And yet I've observed and experienced that the life of a camp director is truly a thankless job. Everyone has a need or a demand, and yet not too many say "thanks" other than right after they've paid for their week of camp (I'm not complaining, just letting you in on my life).

I'm thankful for what these campers have seen in me- consistency, faithfulness, and a servant's attitude. Consistency is huge to a child who comes from an unstable background, and I'm glad that they've noticed that I am here year after year when they come to camp. Faithfulness comes from following through with the things that I promise on behalf of the camp/host facility. And a servant's heart, I can honestly say that I love these kids and would do anything to make their week amazing. This is by far my favorite week of camp!

Thanks for letting me share with you, may someone in your life notice the good things God is doing through you! And may they have the boldness to say so, as Proverbs 16:24 says "Kind words are like honey-- they cheer you up and make you feel strong" (CEV).

Living it UP!

-Matt