You know how strongly we believe in the benefits of small group camping here at Heartland. Campers benefit from small group camping by building friendships with both their fellow campers as well as their counselors. As the leaders of their family groups, counselors know they play a critical role in your child’s camp experience, and they don’t take that lightly. Our counselors intentionally get to know each of their campers by taking time to interact with them in the family group as well as on an individual level. We pack the Heartland Camps experience full of opportunities for counselors and fellow campers to have intentional time with your child. We see this especially in Bible study times, during meals, and during activities.

Room for Questions & New Friendships

During morning watch, campers gather to study the Bible with their fellow campers and counselors. Counselors lead this time with readings of the scripture, interactive activities, and thoughtfully answering questions from their campers. Kids have an incredible ability to ask deep questions, and this gives counselors the opportunity to chat with your kiddo about their questions, what’s on their mind, and any questions they might have about faith. Counselors learn just as much from campers during this time as their campers do from them-- it is a fruitful component of camp life. 

One of our traveling day camp counselors, Sam Taylor, shares how two of her campers taught her just as much about the Bible from their perspective as she taught them. “We formed a great friendship, and it was such a joy to get to know these campers and to learn from them simply by sitting down and listening to them.”

Goofy Mealtimes

Mealtimes are one of our favorite times at camp! From singing songs to praying together to enjoying a tasty meal with friends who feel like family, mealtimes are one of the best times for counselors to get to know your camper better. Counselors break shyness barriers during meals by asking fun questions that excite campers and get them chatting with each other. From this, counselors get to witness the joy of campers as they discuss the things they love and make friends. 

An overnight counselor, Baylee Claypool, shares an experience with one of her campers where, through their friendship, her camper was able to learn that she is loved and not alone. “I had a camper this summer that stayed by my side, and I got to know them very well, as they told me all about their life and their story. I was able to talk to them about the situations going on in their life and to share that I have been through some of the same things. We talked about how we are never alone, and no matter how lonely we might feel, God is always with us. The conversations we had impacted both of our lives.”

A Chance For Each Kid to Shine

Little builds friendships as quickly as a fun game or an exciting activity! At camp, we guide campers through games and activities designed to bring them together while giving each camper a chance to shine. From a sunny afternoon splashing in the pool to a misty morning in the craft lodge, campers get the chance to share their achievements with their counselors and demonstrate all the ways they’ve grown at camp (although to them, they’re just having fun!). We truly treasure this time with your child. We love building friendships and getting to know every camper who blesses us each summer, and to see your kiddo grow in their faith and confidence in Jesus.