If you’ve ever stepped off that last camp bus, sunburned, sleep-deprived, and full of lukewarm coffee and pizza, you know that church camp doesn’t just leave you tired—it leaves you changed. Not always in the loud music, baptism-in-the-creek, mountaintop kind of way. Sometimes it’s quieter than that, but real change is almost always there. You see it when a teenager raises their hands in worship for the first time, when a mentor prays over a bunk bed, when a mom kneels in the kitchen and prays for her child hours away, or when a minister drags himself out of bed for the fifteenth day in a row to preach to tired teenagers who just want to be on their phones.
These are the moments we think of as memories, but I want to argue that they are so much more. They’re milestones—the kind the Bible talks about in Deuteronomy 27, when God tells His people to set up stones as a sign of what He’s done. As a way to remember who He is. As a way to gather strength for the journey ahead.
I want to share with you four perspectives—moms, mentors, ministers, and my own—on why church camp, especially a place like Falls Creek, isn’t just another week on the calendar. It’s holy ground. It's the place where memories turn into milestones.
From a Mother’s Heart
For moms, church camp can stir up a lot of things—anxiety, relief, maybe a little bit of both. You’re trusting someone else to care for the person you love most. You’re letting go in ways you didn’t know would ache so much.
But camp becomes a rite of passage. A spiritual marker. It’s a moment where your child gets to stretch their wings, stand on their own, and lean into Jesus without you prompting them to. And that’s hard, but it’s also holy.
I want to challenge every mom reading this to pray bold, battle-ready prayers. Pray that your child forms friendships that feel like armies. Pray their armor is strong, their faith mighty. And when they come home—dig in. Don’t just do the laundry and scroll the photos. Sit on the couch, open your Bible, and ask them: “Who is Jesus to you now?” Don’t be afraid to dive into the deep end of their theology. God can turn your dinner conversations into spiritual milestones that echo into eternity.
Through the Eyes of a Mentor
Most of us mentors don’t sign up for church camp because we love bunk beds or bug spray. We do it because we’re called. We know the power of showing up. Even when it costs us time, vacation days, and a few gallons of caffeine.
I’ve had the privilege of tucking girls into bed and praying over them night after night. And you’d be shocked at how many of them hadn’t experienced that kind of tenderness in a long time—or ever. Those moments matter. They’re not just sweet. They’re sacred.
Mentors aren’t superheroes. We’re not perfect. We’re just people who love Jesus and are willing to be used. And some of the most unforgettable camp milestones happen when students begin to disciple their peers. I remember a student who brought five friends to camp one summer. By the end of the week, four of them gave their lives to Christ. That wasn’t random. That was a milestone etched into eternity because someone chose to show up and speak up.
From the Heart of a Minister
My husband and I spent 20 years in student ministry. I can say with certainty: you cannot look back on years of camp without seeing the hand of God carving out milestones.
Camp isn’t just about what happens that week. It’s about the ministry that follows. This week at Falls Creek, we don’t just have 80 kids attending—we have 80 families represented. That’s 80 front doors our church has a chance to walk through with the love of Christ.
So please—pray for our ministers. Pray for Case and Bonnie, who pour themselves out all summer long. Pray for their families, for their children, for their marriages. Pray for Sarah Hagar, who leads CrossTimbers all summer. And when the week is over and we’re racing the clock to get the next load of laundry done—show up. Babysit. Bring a meal. Drop off a prayer card. Support them not just with words, but with action.
We are blessed beyond measure to have ministers that know the truth: what makes camp a milestone is not just what God starts during that week. It’s what we do to follow up. It’s how we carry the fire back down the mountain.
My Own Story
Camp has changed my life, again and again. I’ve watched it change others, too.
Almost two decades ago, four teenage boys started a D-Group at Falls Creek. Today, they’re in their 30s—with wives, jobs, and children. Three of them still meet twice a month. They pray, keep each other accountable, and walk through life together. That’s not just a memory. That’s a milestone.
My childhood best friend met Jesus at Falls Creek in seventh grade. Now she writes Christian homeschool curriculum and ministers beside her husband. Candi was once a student who loved hanging out in the camp kitchen—today she volunteers at the food bank and prays over every meal she serves. Greg came to know Christ at the same camp, the same time as my best friend. Today? He’s planting a church in New York City.
I could go on and on. Names and faces flash before me—kids turned kingdom workers, teens turned missionaries, students turned leaders, cooks turned prayer warriors.
Why It Matters
In Deuteronomy 27, God’s people are told to set up stones—to mark their spiritual journey so they won’t forget. And just like them, we need to stop, build, and remember. Because when the road gets long (and it will), those milestones remind us that God is still working. He is still present.
Camp memories fade. But camp milestones stay.
They are the "before and after" moments that mark our spiritual journeys. The places where we know—without a doubt—Christ changed something deep in us. And they help us keep going. Because we remember what He’s already done. And we trust what He’s still going to do.
So, dear church, dear moms, mentors, ministers, and friends—thank you. Thank you for loving, giving, and praying so faithfully. May we never forget that we’re not just making memories.
We’re building milestones. And those last forever.
“Build there an altar to the Lord your God… Sacrifice fellowship offerings there, eating them and rejoicing in the presence of the Lord your God.”
— Deuteronomy 27:6-7
Let’s keep building altars. Let’s keep rejoicing. Let’s keep remembering.
Meet the author!
Meet Mandy Davis! For over 20 years, she has passionately served alongside her husband in Student Ministry. While they may no longer be in full-time ministry, they still love investing in students and greatly enjoy being part of Council Road Student Ministry, especially helping sixth-grade students transition out of Children's Ministry and into Student Ministry.
Mandy is a proud mom of two incredible children who deeply love and serve our Lord: Elaina (21) and Elijah (15).
Currently, Mandy is the Executive Director of the Canadian County Expo Authority, where she uses her background in Economic Development and Chamber of Commerce work to bring visitors to our community. Mandy is all about serving and building relationships, and she truly enjoys spreading the love of Jesus wherever she goes!