Jonathan Carlson – Ward, Colorado … The annual Association of Adventist Camp Professionals (AACP) conference took place this year in the scenic surroundings near Idyllwild, California, December 3- 7. This year’s event proved to be another fantastic opportunity for camp professionals to connect and grow, leveraging the many resources available within the Adventist and Non-Adventist camp community.

One of the highlights of the conference was the meaningful connections made with volunteer resources provided through organizations like the North American Division (NAD) Office of Volunteers, Maranatha, and HeSaidGo.org. These partnerships are instrumental in empowering the work done at camps across the country but especially at Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) Youth camps, Mill Springs Ranch (MSR) in Casper, Wyoming, and Glacier View Ranch (GVR) in Ward, Colorado.

A particularly striking statistic revealed during the event was that 80% of all Seventh-day Adventist Conference employees have worked at summer camp at some point in their lives. This highlights the significant impact that summer camps have, not just on the lives of the campers but also on the individuals who serve there.

Additionally, a large percentage of youth baptisms within the Seventh-day Adventist Church occur at camp settings, further emphasizing the spiritual importance of the programs. In the RMC in 2024 alone, there were over 30 baptisms at MSR and GVR.

This insight serves as a powerful testament to the vital work carried out by the youth department at camps like GVR and MSR. These camps provide transformative experiences where young people can encounter Christ and make life-changing decisions.

Stefan Teal, GVR Food Service manager, remarked, “The coolest aspect was meeting all of the other people that had similar experiences that they encountered while serving groups in the kitchen.”

RMC also celebrated the leadership contributions in the Conference. Jade Teal, RMC Youth assistant director, was elected as the vice president of Communications for the AACP, while Brandon Westgate, RMC Youth director, was voted to serve as President-Elect. These appointments are a recognition of their dedication and passion for youth ministry.

“The 2024 AACP Conference was an incredible experience that brought together Christ-centered servants committed to making a difference in the lives of young people,” reflected Jonathan Carlson, RMC Camp Ministries director. “It was a reminder of the profound impact of camp ministry and the ongoing collaboration that fuels its success.”

—Jonathan Carlson is the RMC Camp Ministries director. Photo capture from Pine Springs Ranch.