Here’s what a few of our campers are saying about their Summer Assembly experiences… (Please email summerassemblycamp@hotmail.com to share your own experiences and/or photos)
Life-Changing! I can’t begin to describe what Summer Assembly has meant to me through the years. The first summer “I was there” was 26 years ago when my mother was still 2 ½ months shy of giving birth to me…and I haven’t missed a single day of camp since! Over the years I slowly made the transition from regular young camper (spending countless hours on the playground equipment, making crafts, playing with friends, going to class, etc.) to a sleep-deprived staff member who gets so much joy from watching a new generation of campers reliving my own life-changing experiences here. Those experiences range from truly knowing the Lord for the first time to meeting some of the most amazing people on the planet. Not only do I have literally thousands of memories of my family at Summer Assembly but I’ve also made so many dear friends through the years—some are basically family now. I can’t imagine what my life would be like today if I hadn’t had the opportunities and experiences that I have through Summer Assembly! -Clarice Nelson, Jr. High Teacher Michelle and I meet at camp when we were infants and have been best friends for about 20 years now even though we live 600 miles apart. When she got married in 2004, I jumped at the chance to be her bridesmaid. I thank God everyday for bringing her into my life…and it wouldn’t have happened if not for Summer Assembly.
Brings Me Closer to God! Summer Assembly is fun, exciting, great food, wonderful friends and special things to do with crafts and recreation. For me the most important thing about Summer Assembly is the personal time for a close relationship with God in the beautiful outdoor setting under the many trees. The worship services are the added touch for a “mountain top” experience in my walk with the Lord. -Karen Nelson,
A Very Rich Recipe! Take a week that has always included family (from the time my parents brought me to the time we have brought our children) add in some of my oldest friends and some new ones, add a spiritual retreat and some life changing events and that is taste of what Summer Assembly is to me. Every summer of my growing up years that week was highlighted, it was one of the places that challenged and helped shape my faith. It was even where I met my wife! In time I changed from one whom the camp was provided for to one on those helping to lead it. It is still a place that challenges and helps to shape my faith. It is a special time when I see it challenge, shape and sometimes begin the faith of others. The Summer Assembly experience has provided my greatest exposure to the preaching and leadership of other pastors and the witness of lay people. In that time I have felt the pull of God as strongly as any in my life. What would my life have been like if I had never attended Summer Assembly? I can hardly image, but it would have been incredibly poorer. How many persons can point to any place, time or experience and say it has had such a great influence on their lives.
Awesomely Important!
Summer Assembly is important to me because I like being able to come somewhere to be about God and His creations and also be able to hang out with my friends for one week. It’s awesome! I love camp so much! I get to know God better. It’s fun almost every day being able to do a different thing. On my second year of camp I truly tried to give my life to the Promised Messiah. That is why Summer Assembly is important to me.
Family Ties
We have been a part of Summer Assembly for 55 years and plan to conintue so long as we are able. Every year the program is different and challenging but we have found spiritual renewal and inspiration. It is a time to draw close to God in close fellowship with other Christians.
Summer Assembly has been a wonderful way of helping young people to know Christ and experience His love, forgiveness and guidance. Our four children all have fond memories of their camping experiences. Because of living such great distances from Topeka (DE, TX, CA) only our son, Steve, and his family regularly take part. However, we have been blessed in having grandchildren come to stay with us and to appreciate what is offered.
With a varied program and many kinds of activities, Summer Assembly continues to touch many lives. Children and youth who attend return to their home communities and talk about their closer walk with their God as well as of their fun activities.
Rejoice!
I enjoy coming to Summer Assembly to meet new people, visit with old friends, and enjoying nature as it is presented at Forest Park. We appreciate being part of the worship services that present with joy and call to commitment to the Lord.
Reconnecting with God
Summer Assembly at Forest Park has been part of most of the summers of my life. My parents took me to camp at Forest Park from the time I was a very small child. I, in turn, took my children. This summer I will be there that last week of July with my children and grandchildren.
Reconnecting with friends, family and memories of past years is only part of the draw of Summer Assembly. The week provides opportunity for spiritual retreat. My life is packed with responsibilities and commitments. Too often my commitment to be in a relationship with God is overlooked. Even though I profess that relationship is the most important relationship in my life, on a normal day, not much of my time is spent with God. The week of Summer Assembly at Forest Park helps me to renew, refresh and align my beliefs and my time.
WARNING!!!
I am a child of Summer Assembly! I started attending when I was just a little girl and have been going for more than 25 years now and counting. Going to "Church Camp" has been an annual tradition for my family, and now for me and my little girls. My girls mark the fifth generation to attend this camp.
You are never too old or too young to start. My five year old started when she was just 3 weeks old. My grandmother attended the Heritage Dinner last year and she is just a mere 95 years young.
This camp is soooo unique that the experiences you have there you will NEVER forget. As a child I loved the nature of a family camp. I always was surrounded by the most lovely, caring people on earth. You never felt home sick!
This wooded oasis in the middle of Kansas shows the beauty and majesty that God creates even in this urban area. His power is not just evident in the beauty he created, but in the countless people that have devoted themseles to Him.
CAUTION...If you attend once you WILL be hooked and you will come back year after year after year! :)
Activites for All
I come to Summer Assembly because I know that there will always be a worship service with the Youth Deans and you get to get more personal with God. There is also great activities during the week like a bonfire for the high school and junior high, late night for high school and different activities for everyone!
Why Come?
The reason you should come to this camp is because you will meet new people and friends and you get to learn about God!
Friends and Faith
I come back to this camp because of many reasons.
1) My friends...because they are the reason I am here at camp. If it wasn't for them I probably would have never gave myself truly to Christ. My first year here at camp I was told about giving my life to Christ. I mean it was so inspirational! The music and the people encouraged me that giving myself to Christ was the best thing to do to make my faith grow stronger in Christ.
2) Is because of my faith. I come back every year because of my faith in my Lord Jesus Christ. I come back and renew myself in my faith and ask for forgiveness.
I love this camp and will ALWAYS come back!!!
This year at camp I think was the best year I have ever had. This year I felt closer to God in so many ways. I mean I have always felt close to Him but that was nothing like this.
In class we leared about Temptation and the things that tempt us. We were told many ways to resist temptation as well.
I also got closer to many of my friends there. I hung out with people I never thought I would and got to know them all very well. I think that is why I am so strong in my faith, because of all the people that help me with it. I just hope through all the challenges at school, that I can stay strong with my faith and not fall into temptation.
Never Too Late
I come to church camp every year for the connection I make with God. Something I love about church camp is there's so many opportunities to give your life to God. This year I found out how important God is in my life. There is also arts and crafts which I personally like to do. Even if you've made a lot of sins and you think you're going to hell, come anyway because God will always forgive you.
Gaining Direction
Summer Assembly is so much fun! I love it!!! I have been coming for five years and it's been a blast. I have friends here that love God as much as I do. The teachers are great, especially Clarice. She is so much fun to be with!
It is so spiritual here and people here can relate to you very well. Here God has been showing me my path. He showed me that I need to be patient, that I shouldn't rush myself and that I need to let Him direct my life. And listening to Him makes me very happy! If more people come next year I promise you'll never forget it! Because God will touch your life and bring you to the Holy Spirit
I'll Be Back!!!
I am coming back to Summer Assembly next year because I have friends here and I had a spiritual connection with God. It is fun, we do a different thing almost every day! Like, there is Water Day and we go to the pool. They do the Talent Show which is really fun! What made me want to have the special connection with God was the very first worship service. This year at camp I gave my life to God for the first time in my life. That is why I am coming back next year!
At church camp this year I learned a lot about temptation. I had a lot of fun while I was there. I feel that I got a lot closer to God and myself. I really felt God there with me.
I really hope that I can stay the way I am and not get tempted with the things that we talked about. I really hope that throughout the school year I can resist against temptation. I have gotten closer to all the people there because I feel that I cannow relate to them. Again, I had a lot of fun and I really got closer to God.
Fun and Faith
Hi! I have so much fun here at camp. There's good food, cool people, an awesome Talent Show, and a great big pool with a high dive that we go to. I made a cute necklace at arts and crafts. I made lots of friends! Bring a friend so you feel more comfortable on the first day before you get to know everyone else. Worship the Lord with singing and praising (and a few laughs). COME TO SUMMER ASSEMBLY!!!
Top Five Reaons
Top 5 reasons I come to church camp:
5. I have so many friends I get to see
4. I experience a lot each year
3. It's a blast and I learn a lot about myself
2. I get to know God better.
1. I LOVE THIS CAMP!!!
Getting to Know God
Summer Assembly is where my best friend gave her life to God. So she asked if I would come and give my life to God also. Of course I came because I love going to church so I can sing, listen to the Lord's word, make new friends and be with my family, but mainly to hear God's word. I think Summer Assembly would be great for children and adults because they will learn about God and what He did for us.
Heaven Bound
Summer Assembly is a lot of fun but it is also where my cousin Ashley gave her life to God. [Justin's teenage cousin Ashley had attended Summer Assembly for many years; unfortunately, she was tragically killed in a car accident just days before the 2006 session. She is greatly missed by all who knew her; however, we are confident that she is now in the arms of the Lord that she came to know while kneeling at the alter during Summer Assembly.]
I LOVE IT!!!
I love coming to church camp! For my number one reason...there are so many super fun things to do. My number two reason is that the people here are so friendly, and if you're not sure about someone or something...tell someone! We love to help people out! If you're reading this and you come to camp next year BRING A CAMERA! There are so many memorable moments around here so don't forget them. Also, I love to bring a t-shirt for everyone to sign. LOL!
Meeting Christ
I gave my life to God during Summer Assembly this year. You will have fun but make sure you bring a fan because the cabins can get hot during the day if you don't. You will make lots of friends as well!
Camp is Cool!
This camp is COOL! You meet a lot of new people. The worship at night is the best part because they make you really want to cry because of all the bad stuff you've done, but you can ask God to forgive you and then you feel GREAT! You get to sing songs, play games and have a blast! If you decide to sign up for the Talent Show, remember to get your play ready before the day of the talent show! There are a lot of really cool people here and the people in charge make it fun for you. You should come next year because it's so fun!
First-Time Experience
My first church camp experience was pretty good. I wish it would have been on better terms than what they were. Before I left for camp I had some things that were bothering me and got worse through the week as I found out some of the things I was worrying about weren't true.
Overall I enjoyed my first year at camp and hope to go back next year to see all my new friends. I was a little closer to God while I was there. I enjoyed the evening services and stuff.
I became a lot closer to some of my friends in the Youth Group while I was there too. Camp was awesome and I can't wait to go back!!!
Fun Times
Camp was good. I played baseball. I played with my brothers sometimes. I got cool stuff and had fun.
Awesome!
My camp experience was awesome! I met some new friends like Apollo and learned about David. I made a loom in class. I had fun.
Talent Show Star
My camp experience was awesome!!! I rocked the house with "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana [during the annual Talent Show]. I saw a lot of my old friends.
Forgiven
This year at camp I felt was very beneficial in a lot of ways. For one I talked with a lot of youth who confided in me with their problems. Not just the youth from our church but from other churches, some of whom never told anyone else what was going on in their life.
And it made me realize a few things in my life and to let go of past wrongs and not punish myself for things that I have been forgiven for. From that day forward I decided to smile a little more, trust more, and live my life the way Christ intended it to be lived!
Friends at Forest Park
At Summer Assembly I was praying and thinking a lot. It's my 9th year! New people have come and there is also so much to do. No one wants to leave at the end of the week. The thing that I learned is friendship and to love and help others when they need it most. I learned to be a true friend that will not run away from you when you need help the most.
Time for a Refill
This year was a good experience for us all, however, I loved watching my little Bailey be a big girl and venture out of the 'nest'...it was hard letting go, but overall it was life changing for me. She wasn't the shy little girl who wanted her Mommy all of the time.
Also, it was a good 'refill' for me and I'm glad that I got to re-connect with God. Ohhh...and the milkshakes!!! Yummy.