Ali Ballweg

Ten weeks ago I began my summer at Sugar Creek not really sure what to expect.  I was excited for how God was going to use me, but I was also apprehensive of leaving Winona and of whether I was actually capable of being a counselor.  Two weeks of staff training and eight weeks of campers later and I can confidently say that I not only survived, but thrived as a counselor.  And I honestly think that I’m going to miss camp 100% more than I missed Winona (and that’s saying a lot).    

This summer Sugar Creek’s beauty and community found a deep spot in my heart and they will never be replaced.  And as hard as it is now being away from it, I thank my Father for leading me on to and through the summer.  Because the summer was from Him, I know that I will always have it in my heart and no matter where I go in life, it will be with me.  I had the privilege of working with 64 other Sugar Creek Staff this summer, all whom are amazing Brothers and Sisters in Christ and whom I will be praying for everyday.  Together we served over 2,500 campers this summer.  Forty of whom were my very own campers.  It’s the feeling of a lifetime to know that I touched so many lives, even if I don’t see it now and never do in the future.  God knows how what He worked through me into their hearts is taking root and will show me in time.  

The first two weeks at camp were set aside for Staff Training… And while at times it was dull and the sessions drug on forever, it was a great time.  We spent time bonding in our family groups (Go Blue Barracudas!) and rooms (Koi 4 all the way!), which was incredibly important.  I am so thankful for that time and sorry that I took it for granted.  Because once summer got moving there wasn’t time for much bonding with people who you weren’t working directly with.  

Week One I was on Wagons with ED, Phil and Kyle.  I only had five campers who were going into 5th and 6th grade, but I was scared out of my mind to cook over a fire, use an outhouse, and sleep in a wagon.  But I made it through the week and had a great time!  

Week Two I had a surprise and was put on River Boats.  Kathryn was my co-counselor and Jesse, Ace (Amanda), Kirsten and Matt were on the other two boats.  Our boat had ten girls (eight who were going into 9th grade and two who were going into 10th) and a blast!  It was the hottest summer of the week so we spent all of one afternoon in the river doing River Boat Olympics.  This week is tied with weeks three and seven as my favorite weeks!  

Week Three I was on Wagons again, this time with Laura, Amanda and Kyle.  My campers were AMAZING!  I had seven girls and although they were going into 6th grade, they had deep faith and thoughts.  And they taught me so much!  One thing I learned was to not say that something is a coincidence, but rather a God-incidence  

Week Four I was on wagons for the 3rd time in four weeks!  It was really nice though because I knew how to work with the busy schedule and became so good at making fires that I made a huge one in the rain.  I worked with Jordo, Nikki and Kim and again had seven girls going into 6th grade.  I had to deal with my first cases of homesickness this week, but it wasn’t too bad. 

Week Five I was on Day Camp in Onalaska with Beth, Nikki and Jeff.  We had approximately 30 kids from First Lutheran church at a park near the high school.  I personally had nine boys and girls going into 5th grade in my bible study.  I had some problem boys and my patience was tested with them and all the other kids, but overall it was a great week.  After being on camp for four weeks I definitely needed the extra relaxation and received it at the Antony’s (our host family).

Week Six I was on Sugar Creek’s first ever Horse Ranch.  We had 37 campers total and I personally had seven girls all going into 6th grade (and yep, you guessed it, we lived in the wagon village).  Ace (Amanda), Jesse, Elise, Ya-Ya (Sara) and I were all kind of frustrated with the lack of direction and communication, but overall it was still a good week.  We went on three trail rides and I rode Anders (a Norwegian Fiord) each time. 

Week Seven is tied with Weeks 2 and 3 as my favorite… I was on Settlers and had four girls going into 8th grade (we had a pretty small village with only 21 campers total).  They were fabulous and I was led my best bible study of the summer with them!  Working with Elise, Katie and Bryce also added to the fantabulousness of the week.  We spent half the week on camp and the other half camping at Black Hawk Campground and then canoeing down the Mississippi to Lansing, IA.   

Week Eight I was disappointed to be on Day Camp in Waunakee with Kelly, Heidi and Eric but it ended up to be a pretty good week.  We had 35ish campers and a bunch of high school helpers and camp was held at the church (Peace Lutheran).  I had the second oldest group of campers (so going into 3rd and 4th grade) and had about nine campers in all depending on the day.   

And then before I knew it, it was the last night at camp… We spent a few hours doing a deep cleaning of the whole camp, ate an awesome dinner, and then had Coffee House.  Coffee House is hard to explain… It’s kind of like little acts that you might see at a coffee house, like a talent show, but not quite.  Anyway, it was two or three hours of pure hilariousness (and a few tears).  Then we sat around the fire pretty late (or early depending on how you look at it) while people burned things like a staff shirt and policies and procedures.   Saturday morning we were woken up very early by Backstreet Boys blaring on the intercom and cleaned our rooms and common rooms in our buildings for a few hours.  Then we had our closing staff worship, which ended with the last singing of our staff song.  By hug-time a lot of people were crying and even I shed a few tears, but tried to soak in the happiness of moment instead of the sadness (the crying came latter once I was back in Winona).  I gave Johnna a ride to LaCrosse and we were walked down to my car by Danielle and Jo, who are both staying for Family Camp and wanted to stand in front of the car so we would stay too. 

So now here I am, back in Winona and missing Sugar Creek so much that I’ve randomly started crying a few times.  I know it’ll get better, but right now I’m just letting the love and change of this summer spread over me. Sugar Creek Bible Camp 2009 was the most blessed and best summer of my life because God was in every aspect of it, and I praise Him for that