Today was the first day of staff training at Baptist Park,the summer camp in northern Maine where I have been the director since 2005. The staff, scheduled to begin at 3:00 this afternoon, began arriving by 1:00. Many of them love this place as much as my family and I do. There is something very invigorating about leading a staff who range in age from 15 to 25 as they serve the Lord by working with children in this beautiful place. The staff are energetic and idealistic; a perfect combination for children’s ministry.
The Park is on 320 acres of mostly uncleared forest in Mapleton, Maine. It is a quiet and secluded place where, for 80 years, kids have been able to come and meet God in a way that is unique and meaningful. Many of our staff are former campers who have gone through, or are currently in, our counselor in training program, so their attachment to the camp goes very deep.
Our family has been coming since 1995, when we spent a week here as camp speakers for high school week of camp. We came back every summer, sometimes for a week, sometimes for two, doing our program in the evening services. Finally, in 2005, the director position opened up, and I became the first non-Baptist director of Baptist Park’s history. I still do my juggling and magic routines, but, as the price of gas began going higher and higher, it was nice to have a summer job that didn’t require constant travel to shows throughout New England. Of course, we do have local shows almost every weekend.
Many people seem mystified as to why a middle aged couple would continue to travel 300 miles from their home every summer to live in a communal setting with semi-rustic conditions. To us, the answer is obvious. First of all, there’s no cooking or grocery shopping for six weeks. The setting is gorgeous, the people are great and the work relaxed yet rewarding. Our family has always served together here, and, while our oldest is now in Africa doing her internship, Naomi, 19, continues to be a counselor as well as the archery instructor, my wife, Sue, is the arts and crafts lady, and Rose, 11,although too young to be employed, is our most eager volunteer. And where else can a 51 year old man play on a 70 foot slip & slide and no one bats an eye.