Growing Together: Emory’s Story

For first-time camper Emory, a week at Cho-Yeh was a totally unexpected experience. She came to Camp hoping to make a few new friends and some fun memories, but what she got was so much more.

“I was definitely a bit scared about coming to Camp for the first time. It’s weird to be in a new place with a bunch of people I’ve never met. But, my counselors made us feel really welcomed and I love my cabinmates. We’re all good friends now, and that made me a lot more comfortable.”

As soon as she arrived, the Camp community embraced Emory and made her feel safe and included. She soon opened up to her cabinmates as they bonded over sharing their stories and facing their fears. This new group of friends understood Emory in a way that she has never experienced before.

“One day during activity time, I just sat by the lake with my cabin and counselors and we just talked for a few hours. We really get each other. I don’t think I’ve ever made friends this fast, but I can tell they really understand me.”

Not only did Emory develop strong relationships with her cabinmates at Camp, but she also strengthened her relationship with God. Her counselors led relevant Bible studies each day that made Emory and her cabinmates think deeply about their faith and how it relates to life outside of Camp.

“I like the Bible studies a lot. I feel like I really understand them. I learned a lot about how God loves and gives mercy to everyone. We also talked about how it’s never too late to turn to God, and we can never be too far gone from Him.”

Still, the most special part of Camp for Emory was growing closer to the Lord in her community. Together, Emory and her friends learned about how much God loves them, what it means to be courageous, and how to be more confident in their faith.

“It was cool to grow closer to my cabinmates at Camp, plus we all grew closer to God together. I definitely feel like I’m going home as a stronger person and Christian.”

After she left Cho-Yeh, Emory gained a new perspective on her faith and is excited to continue sharing it with others. She also gained a new community of friends that is sure to cheer her on all the way, summer after summer.