What makes our Summer Staff amazing?

Nestled into the northwest corner of Iowa is Inspiration Hills. As summer dawns, the Hills become home to a group of individuals from all over the country. For many, their journey begins as they venture by land and air to arrive at their dwelling place for 11 weeks. Traversing from distances of 10 miles to 1,000 miles, anticipation grows for the time that they step foot on the grounds of Inspiration Hills. This group of individuals, as we know them, are the Summer Staff.



Their journeys start long before the first day of training. It starts with a tug. A tug at the heart that eventually becomes a stronger and stronger pull from God that He has a great mission for them this summer. That pull would lead them to apply to work on staff at Inspiration Hills. Through the application process the program directors, through prayer and discernment, decide that this is the place for them, this is where they have been called to. This is the mission that God has called them to. The mission of providing an environment for individuals to come to know and grow in Christ and be challenged for life in God’s kingdom.

Upon arrival our staff is immersed in an environment that is foreign to most, but to returning staff, it is home. The environment is one of love and service, grit and determination, accountability and edification for their fellow children of God. This environment is the basis of the race that is staff training. A full two weeks is dedicated to preparing the staff for the coming campers and for the 9 weeks of camp that are yet to come. Consisting of teambuilding, bible study, games, camp run-throughs, testimonies, etc. training sets the tone for the rest of the summer.

However, nothing that happens during training matters if it wasn’t for the Lord working mightily. God forms a family that breaks down walls, that is centered upon serving Him, and a family that’s greatest goal is to see campers come to know and grow in Christ. All the tools that staff members are equipped with pale in comparison to what the Father does in their hearts.

What makes our staff amazing isn’t that they are dedicated to provide a safe environment for campers. It isn’t their fun personalities that makes anyone feel welcome. It isn’t their training, their wisdom, their lovable natures. These are all great qualities that each and every staff member have, but nothing compares to what truly makes them amazing.

What makes our staff amazing is the amazing call that God has placed on their lives for the summer(s) of service. He knows exactly what Inspiration Hills needs and what the campers need, and He gathers the laborers to the mission field. The amazing things that occur here at camp are not because of the counselors, the coordinators, or any of the amazing staff here at camp. It is the amazing love and power of God at work through our staff.