For a lot of young people, camp begins with being a camper.

You show up, unpack your sleeping bag, meet your cabinmates, learn the songs, play the games, ask questions, laugh a lot, and eventually go home. Then, maybe a year later, you come back and do it all again.

But somewhere along the way, something can change.

You start noticing the people who make camp happen. You wonder what it would be like to lead a cabin, help lead worship, or be the person welcoming a nervous camper on their first day.

That’s part of the idea behind Community Guides, a program created to invite high school youth to experience the “other side” of camp.

The program began in 2023, giving high schoolers a chance to step into leadership, shadow summer staff, and see what it means to help create the camp experience they’ve known as campers. Over the past four years, the program has continued to grow and the impact is beginning to show up in other ways, too. In fact, two members of this past summer’s staff started their own camp journey as Community Guides.
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From camper to leader...and maybe future staff
At Green Lake Bible Camp, Program Director Samantha Johnson saw a great example of what this can look like during Grandparent & Grandchild Camp.

One family had cousins ranging in age from 5 to 17. The 17-year-old spent some of the week shadowing a cabin leader during faith formation time, helping with the younger campers. Green Lake Bible Camp Staff also intentionally included her in leading activities and participating in pieces of worship.

She got a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes and discovered that she really liked being part of it. The following week, she came back to volunteer during Camp Joy. And now, she has expressed interest in working at camp next summer.

That kind of progression is exactly what Community Guides can make possible:
camper → leader → staff.

It doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t happen for every young person. But giving them an opportunity to try on leadership can help them begin to imagine themselves in a new role. 

“How do I become a Community Guide?”
That question is already coming up at Shores of St. Andrew.

Program Director Per has noticed a growing interest even among middle school campers beginning to see themselves as future cabin leaders.

“There’s a lot of positive internal growth happening with middle school campers wanting to be cabin leaders,” Per shared.

By Weeks 6, 7, and 8 this summer, there was a noticeable energy around the idea. Campers were asking questions about how they could become Community Guides the following summer.

That may seem like a small thing: a middle schooler asking how to get a leadership role a couple of years from now. But it’s actually a pretty big deal.

It means they’re beginning to see themselves as someone who belongs on the other side of the camp experience.

Building a pipeline of leaders
For Community Guides, it's a chance to step up, help out, try something new, and start figuring out what kind of role they might want to play at camp. Figuring this type of thing out for themselves in a safe, supportive environment is one really important step.

They get to practice leadership while still having the support of experienced staff. They get to see the work that goes into creating a safe, welcoming, faith-filled camp community. And they begin to understand that camp isn’t just for them, but something  they can help create for someone else.

For the younger campers watching them, that matters, too.

When a middle schooler sees a high schooler leading an activity, helping with worship, or working alongside the counselors, it becomes easier to imagine themselves doing the same thing someday.

That’s how a camp community grows.

A camper becomes a Community Guide. A Community Guide gets more experience as a  leader. That leader becomes a staff member. And a new generation of campers gets to experience the same sense of belonging that started it all.
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The goal isn’t simply to get more people working at camp. It’s to help young people discover that they have a place here and that someday, they might be the ones creating that place for someone else.

In the ELCA, “vocation” names the many ways God works through our lives. At Water’s Edge Ministries, we see vocation discovered not by having everything figured out, but by belonging somewhere safe enough to listen — to God, to others, and to ourselves. One of the clearest expressions of that calling is our Hospitality Associate program.

Through a partnership with Ridgewater College, young adults (like Blake, pictured left) studying plumbing, electrical work, veterinary technology, auto mechanics, nursing, cosmetology, and more live in community at Green Lake Bible Camp.

In exchange for housing and meals, they offer ten hours of hospitality leadership each week — welcoming retreat guests, preparing spaces, assisting with meals, and ensuring each group feels cared for.

This work is not separate from God’s call. It is ministry lived out through attentiveness, responsibility, and service.

Parker Palmer writes that vocation is found where “our deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.” Drake Krupke, an electrician student and Hospitality Associate, reflected, “Being a host here is a gift. I get to work with all kinds of people, help out where needed, and grow as a person.”

Guests notice that growth. Retreat evaluations consistently highlight the kindness and professionalism of these young adults, with one guest sharing, “Student hosts are AWESOME—helpful, polite, and friendly.”

Hospitality Associates remind us that ministry does not only happen from pulpits or stages. It happens in kitchens, retreat centers, and everyday acts of welcome. By creating spaces where others can rest, learn, and encounter God, these young adults are not only supporting ministry — they are discovering their own.
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And in that discovery, the whole community is strengthened.

Faith is changing. In a world shaped by speed, screens, and do-it-yourself solutions, fewer people are finding their way into traditional faith settings. Yet the spiritual need hasn’t disappeared.

If anything, the hunger for connection, meaning, and renewal has grown. That reality places a clear and urgent question before Water’s Edge Ministries: if people aren’t entering traditional faith spaces the way they once did, how will they encounter transformative faith experiences today?

Our response is grounded in what we know transforms lives. Our vision is this: we’re bringing the magic of camp to people young and old, to help people begin—and begin again—their faith journeys.

For generations, camp has created something powerful. Not just activities or memories, but immersive experiences where people feel known, challenged, and supported. It’s a place where joy is shared, community forms quickly, and the life-changing love of Jesus is experienced in real and lasting ways. We believe that experience isn’t limited to a single place or season. The “magic of camp” is a way of creating environments where people belong, grow, and encounter Christ. Today, that kind of experience is needed far beyond traditional camp weeks.

To live into this vision, Water’s Edge Ministries is focusing on four strategic priorities. We are building engagement for Camp, Serve Boldly, and Gatherings beyond church congregations. We are expanding our organizational mindset to reflect the full geographic reach of our ministry. We are intentionally infusing the magic of camp into all ministries, while also weaving the Serve Boldly spirit of service and accompaniment more deeply throughout all we do.

Together, these priorities represent an important shift in posture. Rather than waiting for people to come to us, we are committed to meeting people where they are—on lakeshores and retreat sites, in neighborhoods and partner communities, and in both expected and unexpected places.

This is a pivotal moment for faith formation. The pathways may look different than they once did, but the need for hope, belonging, and spiritual renewal remains. In many ways, Water’s Edge is “breaking camp”—not leaving it behind, but carrying its heart forward. Because wherever people experience community, purpose, and the love of Jesus, new faith journeys can begin.

Every gift to Water’s Edge Ministries tells a story of faith, hope, and community. Donors give because they see the transformative power of this ministry where everyone has the chance to encounter God’s love, grow in faith, and form lifelong friendships. Saying yes to making a gift is more than simply sharing financial support: it’s joining in the mission to create spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and welcomed.

One longtime supporter shared that they don’t come to the quilt auction because they need another quilt—“thankfully, our closets are already full. We show up because generosity is how we say yes to something bigger than ourselves. This ministry has created spaces where people feel welcomed, known, and invited into faith and community. Giving is our way of helping make sure those doors stay open—for the next family, the next camper, the next story God is still writing.”

Generosity fuels invitation. One invitation leads to another, rippling on wider and farther each time. Generosity prepares cabins for new arrivals, crafts meaningful can’t-be-missed programs, and strengthens staff to share God’s love in tangible ways.

​For donors, giving is personal: a way to live out their faith, express gratitude, and invest in a ministry that shapes hearts and lives.
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​The At the Water’s Edge Capital Campaign is about creating opportunities for God to work in the lives of everyone who interacts with Water’s Edge Ministries. Every gift strengthens programs, maintains welcoming retreat spaces, and provides unique experiences where faith, community, and God’s love come alive.

Thanks to generous supporters, we are already seeing progress, with over $350,000 raised so far in Phase Two. Each gift is multiplying impact by touching lives, strengthening faith, and building community that lasts. Looking ahead, our vision is bold, and we need your support on this journey. By giving, you’re not just supporting a camp: you’re joining in God’s work, helping it grow and flourish far beyond our walls.

At Water’s Edge Ministries, events are an opportunity to take action. Each gathering brings together families, volunteers, alumni, and friends to celebrate God’s work in the lives of campers and communities.

At the 2025 Quilt Auction, generosity was on full display. Friends gathered to revisit memories, rekindle friendships, and invest in what comes next, raising more than $128,000—the third-highest total in the event’s history. Through the Fund-A-Need appeal alone, $35,000 was raised to provide camp scholarships, extending the invitation to campers who might not otherwise attend. The energy among those gathered was unmistakable, with 11 quilts selling for more than $1,000 each, well above the historical average and a testament to the community’s shared commitment.

That same spirit carried into the 2025 Dinner Theater, where storytelling, laughter, and generosity came together in record-breaking ways. With the support of 13 local business sponsors, the event raised more than $70,700—the highest total ever, surpassing previous years by at least $10,000. Each ticket purchased and sponsorship given helped ensure that future generations can experience the same beloved moments of camp, faith formation, and community.
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Donating to the Quilt Auction or attending a Dinner Theater performance creates the chance for people to extend a opportunity for the next generation to have the same beloved experiences. Faith, fellowship, and generosity intersect here, reminding us that living out our calling is best done together.
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In 2025, Thrivent Action Teams made a powerful impact on Serve Boldly, equipping youth participants and community partners with essential resources that brought hope and care to neighbors across the country. Action Teams supported hands-on projects including tied fleece blankets for unhoused neighbors and shelters, hygiene kits for community organizations, and meals prepared and shared nationwide. Resources also strengthened worship, participant journals, and prayer stations—creating space for reflection and faith conversations alongside service.
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Thrivent members showed up to love their neighbors, unleashing generosity through 20 Action Teams. These projects empowered hundreds of youth to build relationships, share Christ’s love, and serve with purpose.
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In the ELCA, vocation names the many ways God works through our lives. At Water’s Edge Ministries, vocation is discovered not by having everything figured out, but by belonging somewhere safe enough to listen—to God, to others, and to ourselves. Here, it takes shape through four pathways: Hospitality Associates, Ministry Associates, Summer Camp Staff, and Serve Boldly Staff.
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Through our Hospitality Associate program, we partner with Ridgewater College, where young adults studying fields such as plumbing, electrical, veterinary technology, auto mechanics, nursing, and cosmetology live in community on-site at Green Lake Bible Camp. Students receive housing and meals in exchange for ten hours of hospitality work each week, providing consistent, trusted hosts for retreats and gatherings while discovering who they are becoming and how their gifts meet real needs.

This work is not separate from God’s call; it is ministry lived out through care, service, and responsibility.

As Parker Palmer writes, vocation is found where “our deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.” Drake, an electrician student reflected, “Being a host here is a gift. I get to work with all kinds of people, help out where needed, and grow as a person.”
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That formation is felt by others as well. Retreat guests consistently name the kindness and attentiveness of these young adults, calling them “so kind and gracious,” with one sharing, “student hosts are AWESOME—helpful, polite, and friendly.”
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The Ministry Associate program offers young adults a vocational and educational season rooted in lived ministry. Through hands-on experience serving youth, adults, and families in faith-based settings, they are supported as they discern paths in youth ministry, outdoor ministry, and nonprofit leadership.Ministry Associates partner with local congregations for weekly engagement, gaining practical experience while building meaningful relationships. They also work closely with the Program Team—supporting curriculum and theme development, recruiting summer staff, and helping plan and coordinate youth and adult programmed retreats. In these shared responsibilities, they play a key role in the daily life of both church and camp.

Also living in community, Ministry Associates are invited to listen closely—to God, to one another, and to the congregations and communities they serve—as they continue discerning how their gifts meet the world’s needs.

For many young people, a summer at camp becomes a life-changing season where work, faith, and community come together. As part of a diverse Summer Camp Staff, they take on real responsibility—leading, serving, and caring for others—while being supported by mentors and peers.

One returning staff member, Karina, shared that she “really felt like [she] had a community here,” naming both the new challenges and adventures that shaped her experience. By planting herself in the community formed this past summer, she watched not only her own growth, but the growth of those around her. In the rhythms of daily camp life, staff begin to notice what brings them joy, builds confidence, and points toward how their gifts might serve the world beyond camp.​

Through hands-on service and encounters with people whose lives looked very different from their own, they discovered that service is not about changing others, it’s about showing up.  It’s about seeing God in new ways. It’s about being open to the Holy Spirit. These moments—on farms, in shelters, and within neighborhoods—became sacred spaces where God’s grace is made visible.

This past year, 831 participants partnered with 133 local organizations across nine communities, forming relationships rooted in trust, mutual transformation, and respect. Rather than working in isolation, Serve Boldly participants join ministries already embedded in these communities, learning what it means to serve alongside those who show up every day.

Community partners consistently affirm the importance of these relationships. In Nashville, Serve Boldly participants worked with The Bridge Ministry, which serves between 1,500 and 2,000 unhoused and under-resourced neighbors face-to-face each week through multiple outreach sites. Melody Ramsey of The Bridge Ministry shared deep appreciation for the volunteers who helped pack encampment bags filled with food and essential items, along with lunch supplies to support weekly hot meal outreaches. Over the course of their time together, participants packed more than 300 bags—tangible support that strengthened ongoing ministry. “We are so appreciative of the lovely group of individuals from Serve Boldly who are helping to pack resources for our unhoused community. We can’t do what we do without volunteers, like those from Serve Boldly, who come in to help us every week. Thank you so much for being here in Nashville.”

Serve Boldly is a ministry of Water’s Edge Ministries, and at its heart is a simple but profound truth: when people say yes to God’s invitation, lives change. Youth discover new courage and compassion. Communities experience renewed support and partnership.
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And together, the church and the world participate in a shared movement of love that honors the dignity of all people and responds faithfully to God’s invitation to love boldly and serve together.

Together, Ordinary Time and retreat ministry reflect a core truth of Water’s Edge Ministries: when people are given space to rest and be present, God meets them there. Again and again, we witness how Sabbath is not an escape from life, but a life-changing call back into it—restored, centered, and ready to return with renewed purpose.

This was evident in the Day Camp partnership with Cross of Calvary Lutheran Church in Olivia, MN, where Water’s Edge Ministries summer staff worked closely with congregational leaders to create a vibrant and meaningful experience for youth. Sister Sarah Husken reflected on the intentional collaboration, noting that beyond sharing the love of Jesus, the church staff hoped to raise up leaders within the congregation. Junior high students were not simply helpers—they were given titles, clear responsibilities, and meaningful leadership roles. “I witnessed them stand up straighter and live into their roles as leaders,” Sister Sarah shared. At the end of the week, one sixth grader eagerly said yes when invited to help with after-school ministry during the school year.

These are the kinds of partnerships Water’s Edge Ministries continues to nurture—bringing together senior adults, young adult leaders, and youth in intergenerational ministry and shared learning.

Programmed Retreats further extend this work by creating shared space where faith is formed not only by the setting, but by the people gathered. The First Communion Retreat is a powerful example. For over seven years now, congregations partner to move beyond isolated, classroom-style instruction into a shared experience where children from many churches learn, play, ask questions, and bake communion bread together. Camp becomes a third space—a bridge between congregational life and lived faith—where children connect God’s promises to their own lives within a broader community.

As Pastor Dane Skilbred, from Vinje Lutheran Church, in Willmar, MN notes, “It’s a lot better for kids to come to camp because it’s way more fun than a lecture!” The result is a room full of engaged, curious children eager to participate in the life of the church. Said Pastor Dane, “we were amazed at how many questions kids have about first communion and how it works. It feels really good to be about faithful lifelong conversations with kids like these who want to be involved with the whole life of the congregation.”

These retreats don’t replace congregational ministry; they strengthen it—sending children back with deeper understanding, greater confidence, and a sense that they belong to something bigger.
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Whenever people gather through Water’s Edge Ministries—at camp, in congregations, or in shared spaces between—God abides.

Between meals and camp activities, these leaders trade stories of ministry highs and lows, pray together, and rediscover joy in their call. That connection doesn’t end when camp does. “There’s a group text that continues all year,” reflected Shannon Anderson, Children and Family Minister at Faith Lutheran Church in Waconia. “It’s a safe space to ask questions, share ideas, and encourage one another without judgment.”

Their presence also deeply shapes the experience of campers. Sometimes, they are the first to notice the anxious camper or the quiet child on the edges. They cheer when fear loosens its grip, high on the ropes course or simply in making a new friend. “There might be tears and ‘I can’t do this,’” Deacon Erin shared, “but with encouragement, you can actually see confidence flourish.”

These leaders know their youth well back home, yet they are still moved by the transformation that unfolds in just a few days. Anna Wencl, Family Faith Formation Director at Bethlehem Lutheran in Mankato, described watching one camper “feel so included and accepted… more at ease, more willing to try.”

Camp offers freedom from pressure and space to be fully oneself—away from social media and daily expectations. As Shane Marcus of Faith Lutheran Church in Waconia shared, what makes camp a place where young people feel safe is “the music, the activities, the messaging—everyone is welcome to challenge by choice all week long. The staff are gracious and inviting at all times.” Over time, that consistent welcome forms faith, courage, and belonging that campers—and leaders—carry home into their congregations and communities.
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It is a place where all people are invited to be who God created them to be.