What's Working At Camp Like?

“I’ve really loved coming back for a second year to Falling Creek and the meaningful connections I get to make with other people from around the globe and even from my own city. It helped me grow personally as a more understanding person. I enjoyed taking on more of a responsibility role this year as an activity lead and the challenges it had.

Spiritually, I really got closer to God by just unplugging from everything in my life and focusing on myself for the 3 months we spent in camp. It really changes your perspective of so many things that you may have trouble understanding when you’re always busy and distracted with other things. I love the experience of unplugging from everything and enjoying the things we love most.

I also value the opportunity to share those things with the campers, in the hopes that they too discover something they’re passionate about—and that I can help them grow into good human beings.”

• Johann Graf von Westarp Arellano // Puebla, Mexico

“I grew in all of these ways simply by the people I met. They taught me so much whether professionally or personally. They made camp feel like home. I met friends for life and brought back my inner child. I brought the magic back for these campers which is what I truly came to camp to do.”

• Sage Williams // Drummond, WI

“I had so much fun this summer and it really made me realize how special Falling Creek is and how much I love it. I wasn’t planning on coming back this year but I am so grateful that I did. I did not feel ready to go into life after school, but after this summer I feel so much more confident and sure of myself. I had a blast this summer and really just tried to enjoy it to the fullest.”

• Henry Koch // Washington, DC

“The brotherhood is what made camp feel like home to me. I’ve never felt kinship like I have in this place. I’m an only child, so the friendships I made here were special.”

• Cole Bearrow // Asheville, NC

“Professionally, getting promoted to Trip Leader this summer gave me the confidence to look into pursuing a career in an outdoor field that would allow me to combine my passion for working with special needs kids & being able to work outdoors.

Personally, it allowed me to refine my leadership skills. In terms of relationally, friendships deepened with those I had been friends with from previous summers, as well as getting close with much of the adventure team; it truly felt like one big family this year and that was awesome.

This mountain gave me a sense of belonging and a community that I spent a long time looking for in high school and the past 3 years of college. Thanks for making my summers an absolute blast. My main takeaway? To believe in myself more because a whole lot of people believe in me.”

• Etta Pierce // Delaware, OH

“I learned to mountain bike at camp, but now I’m learning to teach it. Just because you know something doesn’t mean you’re good at explaining it. Being a counselor is hard—it pushes me out of my comfort zone every day. Someday I hope I can send my own kids here.”

• Benjamin Kampine // Nashville TN

“This was the best summer of my life. 10/10, I would recommend it to friends. I learned so much about leadership and how to be a good parent. I really enjoyed it and want to come back.”

• Erik Soelberg // Lewisville, TX