Connections through Differences
BK came to Fortune Lake sight unseen as a new Summer 2026 Day Camp Coordinator. He had grown up going to camp at Ewalu and Riverside in Iowa, where he always admired the counselors. From an early age, he felt God calling him to be a part of creating fun and meaningful moments for campers. Now, as he studies to be a high school history teacher, this work is more pertinent than ever. Camp allows him to make a difference in the lives of young people for a summer, and teaching will allow him to continue to do so through his career. BK recounts a particular day camper who presented some challenges and helped him to learn a very important lesson.
BK and the Fortune Lake team were partnering with the congregations of First Lutheran and Memorial Union Methodist Churches in Gladstone, MI to offer a day camp for their community. A five year old camper had struggled the previous year, quick to run away from the group, and having a hard time with transitions. Early in the week, BK noticed the same pattern from the previous year; the boy would get frustrated with a game and walk away. BK stepped away to check in with the camper who asked for more details about what they were playing. It became apparent that the camper was very curious and needed a deeper explanations. Throughout the week, BK intentionally took more time to explain rules and expectations to all of the group. After that, the young boy knew that he had someone who would listen. He became more engaged, asked a lot of questions, and played the games. He had learned that it was okay to reach out for help, no matter how big or small the question was, and in reaching out he could enter into a larger community.
BK saw God working through the curiosity of this camper who helped him to understand that everyone has different needs. When those needs are met, individuals are better able to connect within the community and grow in their faith. All of God’s children can be celebrated and included not in spite of their differences but because of them. For BK, it was “a summer of learning, and more importantly finding ways to connect.” Our Gladstone day camp experience was certainly better for it, and BK’s future students will be blessed through this important truth. So often the lessons at camp are just as profound for the staff as they are for the campers. Thanks be to God!
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