Well, there is officially only one more week of the summer! WHAT! Man, it flew by! All glory to God for His mighty hand stretched out over Camp Ozark - for His provision of safety and for His goodness.
With the end of the summer comes many staff evals, and as I have been doing them throughout the summer, without fail, their biggest gratitude is the community that they have made here. They state that the relationships that they have built here are truly unlike any other.
In just a couple of weeks, our staff quickly learn what we mean when we say "Ozark Family" and it's a really beautiful thing to witness, from start to finish. From the moment they first arrive and are so overwhelmed and feel like they don't have their people up until the end of their time when they are confident and leaving with lifelong friendships.
For me, on my 8th summer here, I can absolutely say that the Ozark Family is something so unique. A group of people that have taught me more than I could attempt to articulate. A group of people all on one mission, selflessly serving and passionate about the purpose.
On Saturday, we celebrated Emma Kate's birthday all together! And as I was sitting there in the Bistro, I took a moment to look around and thought to myself "woah, this is special. In what other company would you have a group of coworkers like this all come together for a one year olds birthday." From Gene Monk to Scott Torn to Hayden Monk, what a beautiful thing to come together to support a family we love!
It was more than just a room full of people there - it's a room full of people who know each other well and have been through a lot together. A family.
This weekend, we had lunch with our 3rd year internationals and I couldn't be more thankful for this group. In 2021, we only had 18 internationals and SIX of them from that group are back now, for their third year in a row! From being quarantined during post camp in 2021 with them to now watching them lead in their areas, I am so proud of them. It'd be hard to find a group that works as hard as them. But even more, it'd be almost impossible to find a group that is as loyal as they are. From the beginning, they have taught me so much through their hospitable personalities and the good friends that they have become to me.
There are back stories to each of them, as to how they got here and how much they have grown over the past couple of years. But it's a group who would do anything for one another. A family.
We had breakfast with our Program International staff and talk about a group that has come a long way! A group that teaches me to be bold and try new things! A group that came in timid, having no idea what they were getting themselves into. Yet, they are now leaving as experts, more confident, and already planning trips to visit one another. Last week, I walked around to get videos for Robbie, and was in awe of their hearts and how much they cared for their friend. As I was visiting Robbie today, he quoted the videos and couldn't stop looking at the picture of his friends. He stared at it for 10 minutes, just holding it in his lap, with a smile on his face.
This group of 30 young adults from different countries has only known each other for just over two months and yet, they care for each other and had an instant bond, as they conquered this adventure together. A family.
For our last opening day, I was watching our greeters in the sat lot - our leadership team who has done an amazing job this summer! John Hoeksema and Alex Su and Casey Smoot and Carter Sellers and so many solid returners still here at the end of the summer. Our returners are so valuable to our summer and make such big impacts in the lives of our campers in the cabin. If you ever come across some returners together, you are most likely going to hear laughter and see true friendship.
A group that was willing to come back and serve another summer and who know each other well. Best friends! A family.
One of my favorite moments of each session is the Magic show - simply because it is a moment that top staff get to be a kid and have fun together, as they preform in the top notch Hollywood production! Our top staff is a really special group - one that has to work together at all times, covering, helping and supporting each other every step of the way. Our top staff position is challenging but it is worth it when you have your team! I love when we are all together, drinking milkshakes, celebrating the end of a session and encourage the departing top staff. In the moment of sharing about the other, there is laughter and tears and testimonies of friendship.
A group in which everyone has each others backs, whether you know the other well or not. There's an unspoken bond of the top staff team. A family.
For me personally, my family is my fellow assistant directors. From weddings to engagements to mom's going through chemo to deaths to new jobs to everything in between, this is a group of people who are the prime example of what it looks like to do life together. We all have different roles at camp and have our ups and downs, but these are the people that are safe. The ones you can run to in moments that are hard. The ones that can make you cry because you are laughing so hard. The ones that just understand without you even having to say a thing.
A group who is all on the same page, fully bought into the mission and work incredibly hard. People that would be there for you if you needed them. A family.
Last week, there was a moment that I felt overwhelmed and needed to get some space. But in the most unlucky timing, it happened to be the end of Mish Mash and water world picnic in the large gym, right outside of my office. So I exited my office with the one mission of not having to talk to any human....
I was immediately greeted with Gram, surrounded by his campers, giving a big wave and smile "Hey Morgan!"
Then, I was walking by the bottom of the slides and I hear my name being called. With the hope I could maybe get by with acting as if I didn't hear it, I kept walking. But they were persistent, yelling "Morgannnn!" So I finally turn around to look and don't see anyone until eventually I see Filip swimming in the water, coming in from lifeguarding the swirl slide, with the biggest smile on his face, waving excitedly.
I walk up the steps of the slides and there's Jude, putting the mats up and yells "Hey Morgan!"
And when I had finally escaped the people, I couldn't help but smile. I am surrounded by an incredible group of people. What a beautiful little village we have at camp - everyone is so friendly and kind to one another. From strangers to friends - in a short summer. A family.
Even the staff that just arrive and don't know each other become a family within two days at Camp Ozark!
It is a special place.
A place where everyone lets down their guard.
A place where everyone is fully present.
A place where friendships are built around Christ.
A place where a family is created.
Yesterday, my real family was all together to celebrate Teagan's first birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TEAGAN! And while I wish I would have been there with them, I can say that I am thankful for my second family here at camp.
Holding your friends tail during worship. A family.
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